-1i 


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V 


f 


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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


■45 

■  50 

Id 


2.2 


Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


// 


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1 

1.25    1 1.4.  111.6 

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► 

23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


s      4i^ 


^\^ 

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^A' 


i/.A 


0 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


jr. 


Canadian  Institute  for  IHistorical  IVIicroreproductions  /  institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographicaliy  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  imc^es  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


r^   Coloured  covers/ 
12\J    Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/    . 


Couverture  endommag^e 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurde  et/ou  pellicul6e 

Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 

Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  g^ographiques  en  couleur 

Colijured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 


D 
D 


D 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  6t6  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
de  cet  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-dtre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  m6thode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiquds  ci-dessous. 


I      I   Coloured  pages/ 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommag6es 

Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaurdes  et/ou  peilicul^es 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  d6color6es,  tachet6es  ou  piqudes 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d6tach6es 


D 


Showthrough/ 
Transparence 


I      I    Quality  of  print  varies/ 


Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relid  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  serr^e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  int6rieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajouttes 
lore  d'une  restauration  apparaissen'  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  dtait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  6t6  filmdes. 


rr7  Additional  comments:/ 

L^    Commentaires  auppl^mentaires; 

This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film6  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu6  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


Quality  indgale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  suppl^mentaire 


D 
D 


Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 

Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  ref limed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  6t6  filmtes  d  nouveau  de  fa^on  d 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


26X 


30X 


12X 


16X 


20X 


K. 


24X 


28X 


32X 


'■       *^^|f>>-*-' "=H 


"*'^'~^''^'"TTi'-T-'"r'-'-iriiiniiiiiii[|iiiiiiriiifiiiiiiiii  Tnrfrm^iTr  —r  itTTiiiiiiiiiiiMniii(i>iii||-ii), 


tails 
I  du 
odifier 
une 
mage 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

Library  of  Congress 
Photoduplication  Service 

The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — »-  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


L'exemplaire  filmd  fut  reproduit  grdce  d  la 
g6n6rosit6  de: 

Library  of  Congress 
Photoduplication  Service 

Les  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettet6  de  I'exempiaire  film6,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 

Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimis  sent  filmds  en  commen^ant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmis  en  commen9ant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbols  —^  signifie  'A  SUIVRE  ",  le 
symbols  V  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  6tre 
fiim6s  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffirents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clich6,  il  est  filmd  d  partir 
de  Tangle  sup6rieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mithode. 


'rata 

0 


>elure. 

Id 


3 


32X 


1 

2 

3 

1 

2 

3 

• 

5 

f" 

6 

■,■-■■     -       'ti 

*«*«!WaBi, 


-■,Tl«l»»iirnitri»iwWiiai|j!,^(j^,^j^j,^^^ 


;  BjfilnMltff'"-"^'^-'" " 


MEMOIR 


OF 


FRANCIS  PEABODY, 


PRESIDENT  OF  THE  ESSEX  INSTITUTE, 


BY 


CHARLES   W.    UPHAM. 


SALEM,    MASS. 

ESSEX    INSTITUTE    PKESS. 

1868. 


MEMOIR. 


At  a  meeting  of  the  Essex  Institute,  Nov.  2,  1867, 
the  honorable  duty  was  assigned  to  me  of  preparing  a 
Eulogy  on  Francis  Peabody,  then  recently  deceased.  The 
Body  before  whom  it  is  to  be  read,  and  the  topics  to 
be  presented,  will  give  to  what  I  am  no^r  to  offer  the 
form  of  a  Memoir.  The  details  embraced  in  the  life  and 
character  of  our  late  President  will  be  found  to  be  the 
highest  Eulogy. 

In  order  that  we  may  do  justice  to  an  occasion,  in 
which  a  distinguished  society,  like  this,  renders  its  tribute 
to  such  an  example  as  his,  it  becomes  necessary,  in  the 
first  place,  to  detect  and  bring  to  view  the  influences  that 
made  them  and  him  what  they  have  been,  and  brought 
him  into  the  relation  he  sustained,  as  their  chosen  leader 
and  head.  The  institution,  and  the  individual,  alike  are 
phenomena  that  demand  explanation ;  and  you  will  permit 
me,  by  way  of  introduction,  to  illustrate,  at  some  length, 
the  causes  that  have  led  to  the  formation  and  development 
of  the  Essex  Institute,  and,  as  a  consequence,  of  such  a 
character  as  we  have  met  to  commemorate. 

It  may  safely  be  said  that  an  uncommon  degree  of 
intellectual  activity  is  noticeable  in  the  people  of  this 
place,  and  of  the  section  of  country  constituting  the 
county  of  Essex,  from  the  very  beginning.    In  the  review. 


now  to  be  presented,  the  limits  upon  the  occasion  confine 
attention  mainly  to  the  immediate  locality. 

The  natural  effect  of  the  presence  of  persons  of  marked 
impressiveness  of  mental  traits  among  the  first  settlers 
and  their  associates,  is,  of  course,  the  primal  and  general 
cause  to  which  results,  of  this  sort,  are  to  be  traced.  The 
influence  of  every  individual  upon  those  around  him,  and 
upon  those  coming  after  him,  is  an  absolute  force,  greater 
than  is  itnagined  or  suspected.  It  cannot  be  measured, 
traced,  or  estimated.  Its  invisible,  unlimited,  perpetual 
momentum  constitutes  the  dread  responsibility  of  human 
life— the  incalculable  contribution  we  are  all  always 
making  to  the  aggregate  of  good  or  ill,  m  the  condition 
and  progress  of  the  race.  This  power  was  brought  to 
bear,  in  stimulating  the  intelligence  of  the  community 
established  here,  in  a  remarkable  manner,  at  its  earliest 

pei'iod. 

Roger  Williams  and  Hugh  Peters,  more,  perhaps,  than 
any  others  that  can  be  named,  were  of  the  kind  to  set 
men  thinkiug,  to  start  speculations  and  enquiries  that 
would  call  forth  the  exercise  of  mental  faculties,  and  of  a 
nature  to  retain  their  hold  upon  the  general  interest,  and 
be  transmitted  as  a  permanent  social  element.  There  is 
evidence  that  several  others  of  the  first  settlers  here  were 
persons  of  uncommonly  inquisitive  minds,  addicted  to 
experiments  and  enterprises,  in  mining  operations,  and 
various  forms  of  mechanical  ingenuity.  In  proof  of  the 
prevalence  of  this  feature  in  the  character  of  the  people, 
after  the  lapse  of  several  generations,  the  following  cir- 
cumstance particularly  arrests  our  attention  : 

About  the  middle  of  the  laat  century,  a  social  evening 
club,  designed  to  promote  literature  and  philosophy,  was 
in  existence  in  Salem,  composed  of  its  most  eminent, 


sasion  confine 

ns  of  marked 
first  settlers 
I  and  general 
traced.  The 
und  him,  and 
force,  greater 
be  measured, 
cd,  perpetual 
iity of  human 
e  all  always 
the  condition 
IS  brought  to 
le  community 
at  its  earliest 

perhaps,  than 
e  kind  to  set 
inquiries  that 
Ities,  and  of  a 
I  interest,  and 
snt.  There  is 
lers  here  were 
I,  addicted  to 
perations,  and 
a  proof  of  the 
of  the  people, 
following  cir- 

I : 

social  evening 
hilosophy,  was 
most  eminent, 


cultivated  and  intellectual  citizens.  The  following  are 
understood  to  have  been  among  its  members :  Benjamin 
Lynde  and  Nathaniel  Ropes,  both  of  the  Bench  of  the 
Supreme  Court  of  the  Province,  the  former,  as  his  father 
had  been,  its  Chief  Justice ;  William  Browne,  Judge  of 
the  Superior  Court ;  Andrew  Oliver,  Judge  of  the  Court 
of  Common  Pleas  ;  the  Rev.  William  McGilchrist,  of  the 
Episcopal  Church;  the  Rev.  Thomas  Barnard,  of  the 
First  Church ;  and  Edward  Augustus  Holyoke,  then  a 
young  physician.  When  it  is  considered  that  the  entire 
population  of  the  whole  territory  of  Salem  could  hardly 
have  amounted,  at  that  time,  to  more  than  4,000,  it  must 
be  conceded  to  be  proved  by  these  names,  to  have 
embraced  an  extraordinary  proportion  of  persons  of 
eminent  position  and  culture. 

The  result  of  conversations  and  discussions,  in  that 
club,  is  seen  to-day  in  operations  within  these  walls,  and 
in  the  formation  of  such  characters  as  that  of  him  to 
whose  memory  we  are  to  devote  the  hour.  A  taste  for 
literature  and  knowledge,  a  zeal  in  the  prosecution  of 
scientific  studies,  was  imparted  to  the  community,  of 
which  we  can  distinctly  trace  the  imprints  and  monu- 
ments through  all  our  subsequent  history.  The  first 
organized  movement  towards  establishing  permanent 
institutions,  to  this  effect,  was  as  follows  :  On  the  even- 
ing of  Monday,  March  31st,  1760,  a  meeting  was  held 
at  the  Tavern  House  of  Mrs.  Pratt,  for  the  purpose,  as 
stated  in  the  notice  calling  it,  of  "founding,  in  the  town 
of  Salem,  a  handsome  Library  of  valuable  books,  appre- 
hending the  same  may  be  of  very  considerable  use  and 
benefit,  under  proper  regulations."  The  poster  calling  the 
meeting  was  signed  by  the  following  persons,  all,  it  is 
believed,   members  of  the   club:     Benjamin   Pickman, 


Ichabod  Plai8ted,   Thomas    Barnard,   Samuel    Cnrwen, 
Nathaniel    Rope.,    Timothy    Orne,   Ebenezer    Putimm, 
Stephen  Higginson,  William  Pynchon,  Edward  A.  Hol- 
yoke,  and  William  Walter.     A  subscription  was  started, 
headed  by  Benjamin  Pickman,  of  20  guineas,  Timothy 
Orne,  Samuel  Curwen  and  William  Walter,  of  10  gumeas  > 
each,  and  Stephen  Higginson,  Ebenczer  Putnam,  Joseph 
Bowditch,  Samuel  Barnard,  Nathaniel  Ropes,  E.  A.  Hol- 
yoke,  William  Pynchon,  William  Vans,  John  Nutting, 
jr.,  Samuel  Barton,  jr.,  William  Browne,  Joseph  Blaney, 
Richard  Derby,  Daniel  King,  Samuel  Gardner,  Samuel 
Gardner,  jr.,  Thomas  Barnard,  Benjamm  Pickman,  jr., 
Francis  Cabot,  Joseph   Cabot,  William  Epes,  Andrew 
Oliver,  jr.,  and  Joseph  Jeffrey  for  William  Jeffrey,  of  5 
guineas  each.     The  Rev.  Jeremiah  Condy,  described  by 
Dr.  Andrew  Eliot  as  a  person  "of  great  candor,  learmng 
and  int^enuity,"  a  Baptist  minister  in  Boston,  being  about 
to  visit  England,  was  employed  to  purchase  the  books. 
On  their  arrival,  a  meeting  of  the  subscribers  was  held, 
May  20th,  1761,  of  which  Benjamin  Pickman  was  mod- 
erator, and  Natlian  Goodell,  clerk.   The  " Social  Library- 
was  thus  put  in  operation.     The  books  imported,  with 
those  -iven  by  members  or  otherwise  procured,  amounted 
to  415  volumes.     The  Society  was  incorporated  m  1797. 
It  may  be  regarded  as  the  foundation  of  all  the  institu- 
tions and  agencies,  established   in  this   place,  for  the 
promotion  of  a  high  intellectual  culture. 

The  locality  where  the  Social  Library  was  formed  is  a 
matter  of  curious  interest.  In  a  letter  addressed  to  me, 
Jan.  nth,  1840,  the  late  George  Cleveland  thus  speaks 
of  it :  "John  Pratt  kept  what  was  called,  in  his  day,  the 
'  Great  Tavern.'  After  his  decease  it  was  continued  to  be 
kept  by  his  widow  and  daughters,  until  the  death  of  the 


uel  Cnrwen, 
zer  Putnam, 
vard  A.  Hol- 
i  was  started, 
leas,  Timothy 

of  10  guineas 
itnam,  Joseph 
(8,  E.  A.  Hol- 
lohn  Nutting, 
oseph  Blaney, 
rdner,  Samuel 

Pickman,  jr., 
Epes,  Andrew 
a  Jeffrey,  of  5 
',  described  by 
indor,  learning 
)n,  being  about 
ase  the  books, 
ibers  was  held, 
:man  was  mod- 
Social  Library  " 
imported,  with 
ured,  amounted 
orated  in  1797. 
'  all  the  institu- 

place,  for  the 

v&s  formed  is  a 
iddressed  to  me, 
and  thus  speaks 
,  in  hiB  day,  the 
I  continued  to  be 
the  death  of  the 


last,  Abigail,  which  must  have  taken  place  towards  the 
latter  part  of  1765.  The  Tavern  House  stood  on  the 
corner  of  Essex  and  Court  streets,  where  the  brick  store 
now  stands.  1  can  very  well  remember  its  appearance. 
It  was  an  old  wooden  building,  with  many  peaks ;  and 
stood  out  on  Essex  street  as  far  as  the  curb  stone  does 
now.  The  estate  came  finally  into  the  possession  of  my 
grandmother  Jeffrey,  who  sold  it  at  auction,  in  1791,  to 
Col.  Pickman,  and  Stearns  and  Waldo ;  and  they  imme- 
diately covered  the  premises  with  the  large  brick  store 
that  now  stands  there."  The  estate  still  renjaius  in  pos- 
session of  the  family  of  one  of  the  purchasers  in  1791 ; 
and  the  "large  brick  store"  is  know;i  as  the  Stearns 
Block.  Our  venerable  fellow  citizen.  Hardy  Phippen, 
was  thirteen  years  of  age  when  the  "Great  Tavern"  was 
demolished,  and  a  few  days  since,  pointed  out  to  me  the 
position  it  occupied,  with  its  dimensions  on  Essex  and 
Washington  streets,  and  described  its  appearance.  His 
recollections  fully  correspond  with  those  of  Mr.  Cleve- 
land. 

The  history  of  the  building,  thus  remembered  by  Mr. 
Cleveland  and  Mr.  Phippen,  previous  to  its  occupancy  by 
the  Pratts,  is  not  without  striking  and  suggestive  signifi- 
cance in  connection  with  our  subject.  John  Pratt  bought 
it  in  September,  1727,  of  the  heirs  of  Walter  Price. 
Price  bought  it,  Dec.  1st,  1659,  of  John  Orne,  of  Salem, 
carpenter,  and  Frances,  his  wife,  for  150  pounds  in  cash 
"already  paid,"  and  the  deed  was  recorded,  April  25th, 
1660.  John  Orne  bought  of  Charles  Gott.  The  follow- 
ing is  a  copy  of  the  deed  of  this  purchase. 

"29th  of  December  1652. 
Charles  Gott  of  Salem  Attornie  to  m'  Hugh  Peters  for 
and  in  consideration  of  forty  shillings  in  hand  paid  hath 


8 

8„ld  unto  John  Horno  of  Sftlem  aforosnid  one  piece  of 
ground  contaynin«  about  one  .luarter  ot  an  acr«  more  oi 
lc«se  nero  the  meeting  how.e  in  Salem  one  the  Nortli  Bide 
hereof,  running  along  by  the  high  way  be.ng  the  land  of 
'Hugh  Peters  af.>res«id.     Provided  if  m'"  Peters  shall 
retorn?  to  New  England  in   person  and  repay  the  said 
John  all  his  charges  of  building  or  otherwayes  H'«towed 
npon  the  said  land  that  then  the  said  m'     f  "iH  h  duv  ot 
the  said  land  againe  as  by  a  writing  dated  the  28th  day  ot 
this  instant  December  1652  apeareth. 

It  appears  by  the  deed  to  Price  of  1059,  that,  at  that 
time,  there  was  a  dwelling-house  on  the  lot.     The  lan- 
.ruage  of  the  deed,  just  quoted,  reserving  to  Peters  the 
ri«rht  of  reclaiming  the  property,  in  the  event  of  \m  ever 
re'turning  to  America,  upon  making  good  to  Orne  for    all 
his  charges  of  building,  or  otherwise  bestowed  upon  the 
said  land,"  does  not  necessarily,  in  itself,  prove  that  there 
was   a  house  upon  it,  when  Orne  purchased,  but  the 
<reneral  aspect  of  the  transaction  leads,  I  think,  to  the 
conclusion  that  there  was.     It  can  hardly  be   supposed 
that  Mr.  Peters  would  have  authorized  his   attorney  to 
bind  him,  on  the  contingency  mentioned,  in  order  to 
recover  the  property,  to  pay  whatever  Orne  might  spend 
in  erecting  buildings,  whether  they  suited  him  or  not. 
This  consideration  makes  it  probable  that  there  was  a 
house  on  the  lot  in  1652,  and  that  Peters  and  his  attorney 
knew  what  sort  of  a  house  it  was.     The  same  general 
reasoning,  probably,  authorizes  the  conclusion  that  the 
house  was  built  under  the  direction,  if  not  the  personal 
oversight,  of  Peters  himself.     Merely  having  care  of  the 
lot,  in  the  temporary  absence  of  the  owner,  Gott  would 
not  have  taken  the  responsibility  of  erecting  a  house  upon 
it   without  specific  directions,  and  it  is  most  likely  that, 
if  not  built  before  he  left  the  country,  Peters  would  have 


1  one  piece  of 
n  acre  more  or 
the  North  eido 
ii»g  the  land  of 
n'"  Peters  shall 
repay  the  said 
vayes  bestowed 
eters  shall  have 
the  28th  day  ot 

59,  that,  at  that 
lot.     The  lan- 
g  to  Peters  the 
^ent  of  his  ever 
to  Orne  for  "all 
towed  upon  the 
prove  that  there 
chased,  but  the 
I  think,  to  the 
ily  be   supposed 
his   attorney  to 
ed,  in  order  to 
irne  might  spend 
ted  him  or  not. 
that  there  was  a 
I  and  his  attorney 
'he  same  general 
tclusion  that  the 
not  the  personal 
aving  care  of  the 
ivner,  Gott  would 
ting  a  house  upon 
I  most  likely  that, 
'eters  would  have 


deferred  it  until  his  return.  The  balance  of  probabilities 
seems,  therefore,  to  be  against  the  supposition  that  the 
house  was  erected  either  during  the  period  when  Orne 
conditionally  owned  it,  or  Gott  had  charge  of  it.  Its 
size,  as  particularly  described  to  me  by  Mr.  Phippen, 
which  led  to  its  being  called  "The  Great  Tavern,"  and  its 
architectnre  of  "many  peaks,"  prove  that  it  was  of  a  more 
commanding,  pretentious,  and  artistic  style,  than  would 
have  been  thought  of  by  either  of  the  good  deacons,  Gott 
or  Orne.  Its  position  also  indicates  that  it  was  built,  at 
a  very  early  day,  before  the  line  of  Essex  street  had 
been  adjusted. 

It  is  well  known  that  Mr.  Peters  lived,  at  one  time,  at 
the  diagonal  corner  of  the  crossing  of  Washington  and 
Essex  streets.  His  house  and  lot  there  were  sold  by  his 
attorney  some  years  after  he  had  gone  to  England.  I 
think  there  is  evidence  that  he  had  also  built  a  house  near 
the  corner  of  Washington  and  Norman  streets.  He  was 
a  man  of  indefatigable  activity,  was  always  making 
improvements,  and  starting  enterprises,  and  it  is  not 
strange  that  he  built  houses  and  changed  his  residence 
from  time  to  time.  It  is  quite  likely  that  before  bis 
mission  to  the  mother  country  had  been  suggested,  he 
employed  Orne  to  prepare  a  residence,  more  fitted  to 
accommodate  him  permanently,  on  his  lot  where  the 
Stearns  Building  now  is.  It  may  have  been  finished,  and 
possibly  occupied  by  him,  but,  not  paid  for,  in  conse- 
quence of  the  suddenness  of  his  call  to  the  service  of  the 
colony,  as  one  of  its  agents  to  look  after  its  interests  at 
London.  A  settlement  of  accounts  may  have  been  de- 
ferred until  he  returned,  which  all  supposed  would  be  in 
a  short  time,  an  expectation  cherished  by  him  to  the  last. 
The  battle  of  Worcester,  however,  which  occurred  Sept. 

2 


^ 


10 

3d,  1651,  put  such  a  face  upon  the  affairs  of  the  mother 
country,  that  it   seemed  probable  Mr.  Peters's  services 
would  be  permanently  needed  there.     Gott  was  accord- 
ingly authorized  to  settle  with  O  rne,  conveying  to  him, 
for  the  small  sum  of  two  pouuds,  the  whole  property, 
reserving,  however,  to  Peters  the  right  of  repurchasing 
it,  if,  notwithstanding  the  then  existing  appearances,  he 
should,  at  any  time,  come  back  and  claim  it.     The  death 
of  Cromwell  in  1658,  and  the  events  that  quickly  fol- 
lowed, showed  that  the  days  of  the  Commonwealth  were 
numbered    and    finished.     As  the  next  year  drew  to 
a  close  it  became  apparent  that  the  restoration    of  the 
monarchy  was  inevitable,  and  closely  impending.     The 
return  of  Peters  became  impossible;    arrest,  attainder, 
death  and  conliscation,  were  hanging  over  him  and  his  co- 
patriots.     Orne,  perhaps,  felt  that  the  conditional  clause 
in  his  deed,  rendered  the  estate  liable,  and  he  was  glad, 
before  it  was  too  late,  to  get  rid  of  it  by  the  sale  to  Price. 
Such  are  the  facts  so  far  as  known,  and  the  conjectures 
which  they  seem  to  justify,  in  reference  to  "the  Great 
Tavern  with  many  peaks."    It  is  interesting  to  find  that 
certainly  on  that  spot  and  within  those  walls,  the  first 
institution  for  a  higher  intellectual  culture,  and  the  diffu- 
sion through  this  community  of  a  taste  for  literature  and 
science,  was  organized  in  1760 ;  a  spot  owned  by  Hugh 
Peters,  and  the  structure  probably  erected,  and  perhaps 
occupied,  by  him.     He  was  as  highly  educated  a  person 
as  any  among  the  early  emigrants,  and  a  zealous  promoter 
of   popular  intelligence.     He  took  an  active    part    in 
bringing  our  college  into  operation,  and   made  great, 
although   unavailing,  exertions  to  have  it  established  in 
Salem.     One   of  the  objects  of  his  mission  to  England 
was  to  obtain  aid  for  the  interests  of  education  here.     In 


wUKm 


tmt  frrfiBrfrrrrf  ffil 


rs  of  the  mother 
Peters's  services 
Jott  was  accord- 
nveying  to  him, 
whole  property, 
of  repurchasing 
appearances,  he 
a  it.  The  death 
that  quickly  fol- 
imonwealth  were 
t  year  drew  to 
storation  of  the 
impending.  The 
arrest,  attainder, 
r  him  and  his  co- 
}onditional  clause 
and  he  was  glad, 
the  sale  to  Price, 
d  the  conjectures 
36  to  "the  Great 
isting  to  find  that 
e  walls,  the  first 
re,  and  the  diff'u- 
ibr  literature  and 
;  owned  by  Hugh 
ted,  and  perhaps 
iucated  a  person 
zealous  promoter 
I  active  part  in 
ind  made  great, 
it  established  in 
ssion  to  England 
ication  here.     In 


iHWm'tfifTi  1 


fffr-iirrf#iiiM%lria>ttiiw 


the  course  of  the  trial  that  resulted  in  his  condemnation 
and  execution,  addressing  the  court  he  said:  "I  have 
looked  after  three  things ;  one  was  that  there  might  be 
sound  religion.  The  second  was  that  learning  and  laws 
might  be  maintained.  The  third,  that  the  poor  might  be 
cared  for.  And  I  must  confess  that  I  have  spent  most  of 
my  time  in  these  things,  to  this  end  and  purpose." 
When,  in  tine,  the  great  activity  of  Mr.  Peters,  during 
his  short  residence  here,  in  stimulating  the  energies  and 
faculties  of  the  colonists,  and  by  innumerable  methods 
starting  society  in  the  path  of  improvement  and  progress — 
so  as  to  draw  from  Winthrop  the  encomium  of  "laboring, 
both  publicly  and  privately,  to  raise  up  men  to  a  public 
frame  of  spirit" — is  taken  into  view,  we  appreciate  the 
singular  appropriateness  of  the  circumstance  that  the  first 
organized  eftbit  to  create  "a  public  frame  of  spirit,"  in 
favor  of  the  collection  and  diffusion  of  the  means  of 
intellectual  and  scientific  culture  directly  among  the 
people,  took  place  on  his  ground,  and  in  what  was,  not 
improbably,  his  house. 

It  is  quite  evident  that,  at  the  time  of  the  formation  of 
the  Social  Library,  interest  in  philosophical  enquiries  was 
a  characteristic  of  the  people  here,  the  effect  of  pre- 
existing causes,  as  well  as  the  efficient  cause  of  subse- 
quent developments.  The  following  instance  seems  to 
indicate  such  a  prevalent  turn  of  mind  only  five  years 
afterwards. 

In  1766,  a  lad  of  thirteen  years  of  age,  born  and 
brought  up  on  a  farm  in  Woburn,  with  only  such  advan- 
tages of  education  as  a  country  school  district  then 
attbrded,  was  apprenticed  to  John  Appleton,  grandfather 
of  Dr.  John  Appleton,  the  present  Assistant  Librarian 
of  the  Massachusetts  Historical  Society.     Mr.  Appleton's 


..fi-4'ii:Mi^3r^^i& 


m^^sm^^^^m^kkMis^^^^ 


A 


12 

residence  and  place  of  business  was  on  the  south  side  of 
Essex  street,  the  lot  being  occupied,  at  this  time,  by  Dr. 
George  Choate.  He  carried  on  a  retail  variety  store,  in 
the  style  of  that  day,  and  was  engaged  in  commercial 
pursuits  in  connection  with  a  general  traffic.  The  young 
apprentice,  from  early  childhood,  in  his  hmnble  rural 
home,  had  manifested  a  taste  for  mechanical  and  philo- 
sophical amusements,  and  had  delighted  in  constructing 
miniature  machines,  and  in  rude  attempts  at  drawing  and 
modelling.  Here  he  found  an  atmosphere  so  congenial 
to  his  original  passion  that  he  was  stimulated  to  exercise 
and  exhibit  his  genius.  His  curious  and  various  experi- 
ments attracted  favorable  notice,  and  won  for  him  an 
established  reputation,  in  an  appreciating  community. 
When  the  repeal  of  the  Stamp-Act,  by  the  British  Parlia- 
ment, had  raised  an  enthusiastic  gratification  throughout 
the  colonies,  the  people  of  Salem  were  determined  to 
celebrate  it  in  a  style  of  extraordinary  and  unparalleled 
brilliancy  and  impressiveness.  It  M'as  voted  to  have  a 
grand  display  of  fireworks.  There  were  no  professional 
pyrotechnists  here,  and  perhaps  never  had  been  in  the 
whole  country.  All,  however,  knew  the  mechanical  and 
chemical  propensities  and  attainments  of  Mr.  Appleton's 
apprentice  boy,  and  he  was  appointed  to  conduct  the 
preparations  and  superintend  the  exhibition.  Some  care- 
lessness, not  to  be  wondered  at,  considering  the  inex- 
perience of  all  concerned,  led  to  a  premature  explosion, 
and  he  was  so  seriously  injured,  that  his  life  was  for  a 
time  despaired  of,  and  his  health  so  much  affected,  as 
finally  to  render  his  removal  to  his  home  in  Woburn 
necessary.  But  the  bent  of  his  mind  had,  in  the  few 
years  he  had  listed  in  Salem,  become  so  fixed  that,  upon 
his  recovery,  he  instantly  sought  and  obtained  permission 


m 


south  side  of 
time,  by  Dr. 
iety  store,  in 
I  commercial 
The  young 
nmible  rural 
al  and  philo- 
constructing 
drawing  and 
so  congenial 
3  to  exercise 
rious  experi- 
1  for  him  an 
community. 
Iritish  Parlia- 
m  throughout 
etermined  to 
[  unparalleled 
ed  to  have  a 
}  professional 
.  been  in  the 
Bchauical  and 
r.  Appleton's 
conduct  the 
Some  care- 
ing  the  inex- 
Te  explosion, 
ife  was  for  a 
h  affected,  as 
B  in  Woburn 
1,  in  the  few 
ed  th^t,  upon 
ed  permission 


to  attend  a  course  of  philosophical  lectures,  delivered  in 
Harvard  College.  He  walked  regularly  to  and  from 
Cambridge,  a  distance  of  nine  miles  to  enjoy  the  privilege. 
He  was  then  seventeen  years  of  age.  He  taught  country 
district  schools  at  Bradford  and  Wilmington,  in  Massa- 
chusetts, and  Concord,  New  Hampshire.  All  the  while 
he  continued  his  philosophical  pursuits,  and  attracted 
increased  attention,  by  novel  and  successful  operations,  in 
mechanics  and  chemistry.  By  a  'singular  succession  of 
circumstances,  he  was  drawn  to  a  military  career  in  the 
service  of  the  mother  country.  He  combined  quali- 
ties that  soon  gave  him  great  distinction  in  that  line. 
His  scientific  attainments  and  philosophical  enquiries, 
always  directed  to  practical  ends,  were  found  of  inestima- 
ble importance,  in  fortification,  engineering,  armament, 
equipment,  subsistence  and  all  sanitary  and  economical 
modes  of  military  administration.  Gunpowder, .  as  an 
explosive  agent,  had  ever  been  a  special  and  favorite 
subject  of  experiment  and  research,  not  at  all  checked  by 
the  disaster  of  his  boyhood  at  Salem.  His  methodical 
and  observing  habits  of  mind,  and  disposition  to  classify 
all  details,  gave  him  facilities  in  mastering  military  tactics. 
And,  besides,  his  personal  aspect  and  address  were  pre- 
cisely adapted  to  command  preeminence,  in  the  pomp  and 
pageantry,  the  parades,  evolutions,  and  blazonry  of  tented 
fields  and  marshalled  camps.  He  united  with  all  that 
was  showy  and  dazzling  the  sterner  wisdom,  itself  based 
upon  philosophical  principles,  that  made  him  famous  as  a 
disciplinarian.  In  the  whole  range  of  biography,  there 
is  nothing  more  wonderful  than  such  a  product  as  he 
presents — raised  in  rustic  life,  on  a  New  England  farm, 
and  in  a  Salem  retail  shop — a  most  finished  and  polished 
gentleman,  with  a  commanding  presence,  and  easy  eour- 


14 


tesy,  seldom  approached  by  those  upon  whom  knightly 
or  courtly  influences  have  been  shed  for  indefinite  gener- 
ations.   His  lofty  form,  noble  bearing,  sweet  and  winning 
manners,  gave  to  his  early  manhood  a  wondeiful  attrac- 
tiveness.    One  of  his  biographers  says  :    "His  grace  and 
personal  advantages  were  early  developed.     His  stature 
of  nearly  six  feet,  his  erect  figure,  his  finely  formed 
limbs,  his  bright  blue  eyes,  his  features  chiselled  in  the 
Roman  mould,  and  his  dark  auburn  hair,  rendered  him  a 
model  of  manly  beauty."    We  may  well  believe  that  he 
shone  the  cynosure  of  all  eyes,  at  the  head  of  his  regi- 
ment of  dragoons,  and  that  ho  made  a  sensation  in  all 
circles  in  London.   In  1779  he  was  elected  into  the  Royal 
Society,  and  in  1784,  received  the  honors  of  Knighthood 
from  the  King  of  Great  Britain.     Having  "introduced  a 
revision  of  the  military  exercise,  and  eifected  several 
reformations    of   acknowledged    consequence,"    in    that 
country,  he  went  to  the  continent,  with  a  view  of  offering 
his  services  to  Austria,  then  at  war  with  Turkey.     Dr. 
Jacob  Bigelow,  who  wrote  the  memoir  of  this  remarkable 
man,  read  before  the  American  Academy  of  Arts  and 
Sciences,  from  which  I  have  already  quoted,  says  that 
"in  more  than  one  instance  of  his  life  it  happened  that 
his  fine  manly  figure  and  captivating  manners  were  instru- 
mental in  deciding  his  reception  among  strangers."    On 
his  way  to  Vienna,  he  was  present  at  a  review  of  Bavarian 
troops.     He  appeared,  as  a  spectator,  on  the  ground, 
mounted  and  unifoiTaed,  according  to  his  rank,  as  Sir 
Benjamin  Thompson,  a  colonel  of  the  British  cavalry. 
The  commander  of  the  troops  was  a  Duke,  and  soon  after, 
the  King  of  Bavaria.     Attracted  by  the  splendid  bearing 
and  aspect  of  the  stranger  he  sought  his  acquaintance, 
and  impressed  with  a  deep  admiration  of  his  qualities  and 


15 


lom  knightly 
Blinite  gener- 
and  winning 
leiful  attrac- 
[is  grace  and 

His  stature 
inely  formed 
iselled  in  the 
tdered  him  a 
lieve  that  he 
i  of  his  regi- 
isation  in  all 
tito  the  Royal 
F  Knighthood 
'introduced  a 
ected  several 
ce,"  in  that 
Bw  of  offering 
Curkey.  Dr. 
is  remarkable 

of  Arts  and 
ed,  says  that 
happened  that 
'8  were  instru- 
angers."  On 
w  of  Bavarian 
I  the  ground, 

rank,  as  Sir 
itish  cavalry, 
md  soon  after, 
Lendid  bearing 

acquaintance, 
s  qualities  and 


attainments,  made  him  his  aid-de-camp,  chamberlain, 
member  of  his  council  of  State,  and  Lieutenant-general 
of  his  armies,  and  afterwards  raised  him  to  the  dignity  of 
a  Count  of  the  Holy  Roman  empire.  It  must  commend 
Sir  Benjamin  Thompson  to  the  good  feeling  of  every  tnie 
and  high-minded  man,  that  while  covered  with  all  these 
honors  at  the  Court  of  Munich,  he  did  not  forget  or  fail 
to  avow  his  attachment  to,  and  pride  in,  his  early  humble 
condition  and  home  in  New  England.  In  selecting  the 
distinguishing  element  of  his  title  as  a  nobleman,  he 
chose  the  name  that  had  formerly  been  given,  prior  to  its 
change  to  Concord,  to  the  village  in  New  Hampshire, 
where,  when  nineteen  years  of  age,  he  had  taught  school 
and  been  married — Rumford.  He  led  the  armies  of 
Bavaria  with  distinguished  success  in  an  important 
campaign,  and  reformed  the  entire  military  organization 
and  civil  administration  of  that  country.  The  extraor- 
dinary results  he  secured  by  the  application  of  philosoph- 
ical principles,  in  raising  the  condition  of  the  whole 
people,  in  reducing  the  burdens  of  government,  and 
particularly  in  solving  the  great  problem  of  statesmanship 
— abolishing  pauperism  by  bringing  it  into  remedial  rela- 
tions with  labor — made  his  name  renowned  throughout 
Europe.  Monarchs  sought  his  services,  and  learned 
societies  and  scientific  academies  in  all  the  great  cities 
conferred  upon  him  their  honors.  He  was  commissioned 
ambassador  to  Great  Britain,  but  was  prevented  from 
acting  in  that  capacity.  The  old  feudal  doctrine  of 
perpetual  allegiance,  not  much  longer  to.  be  tolerated 
among  nations  professing  to  recognize  the  rights  of  man, 
was  found — he  having  been  born  a  British  subject — to 
obstruct  his  reception,  in  the  official  capacity  of  Bavarian 
Envoy,  by  the  Court  at  London.     But  so  warm  was  the 


^sSJ*( 


^ 


16 

welcome  extended  to  him  imofficially,  by  the  government 
and  all  classes  of  the  people,  especially  men  of  science 
and  learning,  that  he  was  induced  to  remain  some  years 
in  England,  during  which  time  he  secured  the  establish- 
ment of  the  Royal  Institution  of  Great  Britain,  whose 
charter  expresses  the  great  object  and  end  of  his  labors, 
through  his  entire  career,  from  his  boyish  experiments  in 
Woburn  and  Salem,  to  his  last  productions. 

The  absohite  identity  of  his  language  with  that  em- 
ployed to  express  one  of  the  designs  of  the  Essex  Insti- 
tute, and  the  main  object  of  the  Peabody  Academy,  will 
not  fail  to  be  noticed,  "for  diffusing  the  knowledge,  and 
facilitating  the  general  introduction  of  useful  mechanical 
inventions  and  improvements ;  and  for  teaching  by  philo- 
sophical lectures  and  experiments  the  application  of  science 
to  the  common  purposes  of  life."  His  last  years  were 
spent  at  a  beautiful  seat  owned  by  him  within  a  few  miles 

of  Paris. 

Count  Rumford  enlarged,  in  many  important  particu- 
lars, the  scientific  knowledge  of  his  day,  and  published  a 
great  number  of  valuable  works.     He  died,  August  21st, 
1814,  in  the  sixty-second  year  of  his  age,  and  his  Eulogy, 
before  the  Institute  of  France,  was  pronounced  by  Cuvier. 
Some  years  before  his  death  he  gave  to  the  Royal  Society 
of  Great  Britain  one  thousand  povnds,  the  interest  on 
which  was   to  be  distributed,   from  time  to  time,   as 
premiums  to  the  authors  of  the  most  useful  discoveries  in 
light  and  heat,  and  at  the  same  time  he  transmitted  the 
sum  of  five  thousand  dollars,  to  the  American  Academy 
of  Arts  and  Sciences,  the  interest  to  be  devoted,  in  like 
manner,  to  the  same  ends.     In  grateful  remembrance  of 
the  institution  which  had  opened  its  lecture-room  to  him 
when  a  poor  country  boy,  he  bequeathed  one  thousand 


17 


J  ffovernment 
en  of  science 
in  some  years 
the  establish- 
iritain,  whose 
of  his  labors, 
speriments  in 
I. 

ivith  that  em- 
e  Essex  Insti- 
Icademy,  will 
lowledge,  and 
ful  mechanical 
hing  by  philo- 
ition  of  science 
st  years  were 
in  a  few  miles 

)rtant  particu- 
id  published  a 
,  August  21st, 
nd  his  Eulogy, 
ced  by  Cuvier. 
Royal  Society 
;he  interest  on 
e  to  time,   as 
1  discoveries  in 
transmitted  the 
rican  Academy 
levoted,  in  like 
emembrance  of 
e-room  to  him 
I  one  thousand 


dollars  annually,  with  the  final  reversion  of  his  whole 
estate,  to  the  University  of  Cambridge,  in  the  State  of 
Massachusetts,  as  the  foundation  of  a  professorship,  "to 
teach,  by  regular  courses  of  academical  and  public 
lectures,  accompanied  with  proper  experiments,  the  utility 
of  the  physical  and  mathematical  sciences,  for  the 
improvement  of  the  useful  arts,  and  for  the  extension  of 
the  industry,  prosperity,  happiness  and  well  being  of 
society."  Here,  again,  I  cannot  but  remark  that  it  would 
have  been  impossible  to  frame  language  into  a  more 
perfect  expression  of  the  ends  pursued  by  the  Essex 
Institute  and  Peabody  Academy,  and  to  which  the  life  of 
our  late  President  was  devoted. 

It  will  be  conceded,  I  think,  that  in  respect  to  such  a 
mind  as  that  of  Count  Rumford,  the  period  of  his  resi- 
dence here  was  most  important.  It  was  the  age  in  which 
the  deepest  and  most  durable  impressions  are  made.  His 
faculties  were  then  in  their  forming  stage,  and  the  direc- 
tion in  which  they  were  afterwards  to  work  decisively 
detei-mined.  It  was,  indeed,  fortunate  that  his  awakening 
and  kindling  genius  was  placed  under  the  influences  that 
here  surrounded  it.  His  subsequent  course,  surpassing 
as  it  does,  in  many  points  of  view,  all  that  is  found  in 
history  or  fiction,  may  be  largely  ascribed  to  the  intellec- 
tual energies  put  in  operation  by  the  men  who  established 
the  old  Salem  Social  Library. 

Richard  Kirwan,  LL.  D.,  of  Dublin,  was  one  of  the 
most  distinguished  philosophers  of  his  period,  and  is 
ranked  among  eminent  writers  in  chemistry,  mineralogy, 
geology,  and  kindred  sciences.  In  1781,  a  vessel,  having 
on  board  a  valuable  library  belonging  to  him,  was  cap- 
tured by  an  American  private  armed  ship,  and  brought 
into  Beverly,  to  be  disposed  of  as  a  prize.    The  collection 


18 

of  books  was  there  sold,  as  a  whole,  to  an  assocuition 
of  .rentlemeu   of  this   town   and   neighborhood     aniong 
whom  wore  the  Rev.  Manasseh  Cutler,  LL.  D.,  A.  A.  fe., 
S.  P.  A.,  then  the  minister  of  the  congregation  at  Ham- 
ilton,  afterwards   a  Representative   from   tins    State   m 
Congress,  and  founder  of  the  State  of  Oluo,  who  m  the 
course  of  his  distinguished  life  adorned  eaeh  o    te  three 
learned  professions;  the  Rev.  Joseph  Willard    LL.D., 
S  V.  A.;  of  Beverly,  afterwards  President  of  Plarvard 
College,  and  first  President  of  the  American  Academy  of 
Arts  and  Sciences;   the  Rev.  Thomas  B.u-nard,  P.  D.. 
A.  A.  S.,  of  the  North  Church  in  Salem ;  Joshua  iisher, 
M.D.,  i.A.S.,  of  Beverly,  the  first  P-sident  of  the 
Massa  husetts  Medical  Society  ;  the  Rev.  John  Piujce,  of 
the  First  Church,  in  Salem;  and  EdSvard  A.  Holyoke 
M  D.,  of  Salem.     They  made  it  the  foundation  of  the 
Philosophical  Library.     Justice   to  the  '"e'"^  <^*  J*'^ 
Tnl  ghtened  merchants,  who  owned  the  vessel,  Andrew 
and  John  Cabot  brothers,  requires  it  to  be  recorded   as 
a  part  of  the  transaction,  that  they  relinquished  the.r 
shLe   of  prize   money  for  the  books,  and  made  such 
Irmn^ements  with  the  other  parties  in  interest,  that  the 
wiok  library  came  to  the  association  of  scholars  just 
Imed,  at  a  mere  nominal  price;  and  the   satisfaction 
wTh  which  the  afl-air  will  ever  be  regarded,  is  rendered 
rolret    by  the  additional  fact,  that  remuneration  was 
slequently  tendered  to  Dr.  Kirwan,  but  he  declined  to 
acccp?  it,  expres-"g  gratification  that  the  books  had  fallen 
into  such  hands,  and  were  put  to  so  good  a  use 

The  Social  Library  and  the  Philosophical  Library  were 
after  some  time,  consolidated  into  the  "Salem  Athen.um, 
and  incorporated,  as  such,  in  March,  1810. 

The  "Essex  Historical  Society,"  was  mcorporated  m 


19 


an  association 
jvliood,  aijiong 
J.  D.,  A.  A.  S., 
ffation  at  Ham- 

this  State  in 
iliio,  who  in  tho 
ich  of  tlie  tlireo 
illaid,  LL.D., 
3nt  of  Harvard 
can  Academy  of 
Jarnard,  D.  D., 

Joslnia  Fislicr, 
'resident  of  the 

John  Prince,  of 
rd  A.  Holyoke, 
)undation  of  the 

memory  of  the 

vessel,  Andrew 

be  recorded,  as 
jlinqnished   their 

and  made  such 
interest,  that  the 

of  scholars  just 

the  satisfaction, 
rded,  is  rendered 
■emuneration  was 
ut  he  declined  to 
e  books  had  fallen 
d  a  use. 

ical  Library  were, 
lalem  Athenaium," 

no. 

IS  incorporated  in 


1821,  and  put  in  operation  on  tiio  27th  of  Juno  of  that 
year. 

Such  is  the  history  of  movements,  in  an  organized  form, 
to  give  ett'ect  to  ctlbrts  to  prontote  the  intlucni^o  of  liter- 
ature, science,  piulosopliy  and  history,  in  this  place  from 
17()0  to  1821.  It  is  quite  remarkable,  that  in  each  stage  ot 
the  progress  a  leading  part  was  taken  by  one  man  —  Dr. 
Holyoke  ;  he  signed  the  call  for  the  meeting  at  the  house 
of  Mrs.  Pratt,  and  was  an  original  subscriber  to  the  funds 
then  raised  to  estiiblish  the  Social  Library ;  he  was  one  of 
the  purchasers  of  Dr.  Kirwan's  books,  thus  cooperating 
in  founding  tho  Philosophical  Librai'y ;  he  was  the  tirst 
President  of  the  Salem  Athenteum,  and  also  the  first 
President  of  the  Essex  1  listorical  Society.  Tho  eft'ects 
of  such  institutions,  and  methods  of  combined  action  of 
such  men,  upon  the  character  of  the  population  in  general, 
may  be  estimated,  in  some  degree,  by  considering  them  in 
view  of  the  ordinary  laws  of  social  influence ;  but  they 
can  only  be  adequately  and  fully  appreciated  by  illustra- 
tions in  detail. 

In  the  earlier  portion  of  this  century,  when  our  popu- 
hition  was  scarcely  half  of  what  it  now  is,  and  we  had 
barely  reached  the  required  constitutional  dimensions,  but 
not  yet  aspired  to  the  dignity,  of  a  city,  there  were  on 
the  list  of  our  inhabitants  the  names  of  an  extraordinary 
number  of  persons,  eminent  and  conspicuous  for  attain- 
ments in  science  and  literature.  It  is  proper  to  bring 
them  severally  before  our  minds,  as  we  shall  thus  best 
appreciate  the  influences  under  which  the  subject  of  this 
memoir  grew  up  to  manhood. 

Edward  Augustus  Holyoke,  LL.D.,  was  President  of 
the  Massachusetts  Medical  Society,  and  of  the  American 
Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences.   He  added  to  the  learning 


•l«S)!ft(ft>!=- 


^mtS--;si^^h^-  ■■~X.;S!?SiSiS^!?SSI^SSI^SP^5j3S'^SrS?S 


so 

and  skill  that  made  him,  for  half  a  century,  The  Teacher 
of  his  profession,  acquisitions  of  knowledge  in  various 
other  fields,  particularly  of  Natural  Science.  lie  kept 
up  with  his  times  in  the  several  departments  of  intellec- 
tual progress,  retaining  the  effects  of  an  early  classical 
training,  and  enjoying  to  the  last  a  relish  for  the  produc- 
tions of  elegant  literature.  A  professional  practice  ot 
unrivalled  diiration,  accompanied  by  careful  observation 
and  an  admirable  judgment,  made  him  the  great  oracle 
among  physicians,  large  numbers  of  whom,  from  all 
quarters,  gathered  round  him,  as  the  guide  of  their  early 
studies.  Among  his  pupils  were  some  of  the  most  dis- 
tinguished medical  names  of  the  country ;  one  of  them 
was  the  late  James  Jackson,  long  the  revered  head  of 
his  profession,  whose  eulogist  informs  us  that  he  took 
"his  old  master,  as  he  always  loved  to  call  him,  as  his 
model."*  Dr.  Jackson  had  explored  the  whole  ground  ol 
medical  science  and  practice,  at  home  and  abroad,  and  no 
man  ever  more  universally  enjoyed  or  deserved  the  confi- 
dence and  respect  of  the  community,  for  discriminating 
fairness,  and  sound  judgment;  and  it  is  stated  by  the 
highest  authority  that  he  expressed  himself  thils,  con- 
cerning Dr.  Holyoke :  "I  can  only  say  of  his  practice, 
the  longer  I  have  lived,  I  have  thought  better  and  better 
of  it."  The  "Ethical  Essay,"  a  posthumous  publication  of 
Dr.  Holyoke,  commenced  in  his  eighty-sixth,  but  mostly 
composed  after  he  had  passed  his  ninetieth  year,  is  a 
lasting  monument  of  his  christian  wisdom,  and  shows  that 
he  was  entitled,  preeminently,  to  the  character  of  a 
philosopher,  as  well  as  patriarch. 


♦An  Introductory  Lecture  dellvereil  before  the  medical  class  of 
Harvard  University, "Nov.  6th,  1867,  by  Oliver  Wendell  Holmes,  Park- 
man  Professor  of  Anatomy  and  Physiology. 


SI 


Tho  Tcnclu'i- 
JO  in  vnrious 
!0.  lie  kept 
ts  of  iiitcllec- 
!arly  classical 
•  the  produc- 
il  practice  ot 

I  observation 
great  oracle 

:>m,  from  all 
of  their  early 
ihe  most  dis- 
one  of  them 
ared  head  of 
that  ho  took 

II  him,  as  his 
ole  ground  ol 
:)road,  and  no 
ved  the  confi- 
liscriminating 
tated  by  the 
If  thus,  con- 

his  practice, 
er  and  better 
publication  of 
h,  but  mostly 
ith  year,  is  a 
nd  shows  that 
laracter  of  a 


nedical  class  of 
II  Holmes,  Park- 


Timothy  Pickering,  LL.  I).,  S.  P.  A.,  adorned  tho 
great  8|)here8  in  which  ho  had  moved  in  our  pul)lic  and 
national  military  and  civil  service,  Avith  schoiurly  tastes, 
and  a  purity,  exactness,  vigor  and  impressiveness  ot 
style  that  jjlacod  him  among  our  host  writers.  James 
Madison  pronounced  tho  highest  encomium  upon  his  State 
Papers,  while  at  tho  head  of  the  department  at  Wash- 
ington intrusted  with  the  foreign  relations  of  the  country, 
at  a  critical  period  of  our  diplomatic  history. 

Tho  Rev.  John  Prince,  LL.  1).,  A.  A.  S.,  S.  P.  A.,  had 
a  world-wide  reputation  as  a  scientific  mechanician  and 
discoverer,  enlarging  the  domain  of  Pneumatics  and 
Astronomy  with  ingenious  constructions,  the  work  of  his 
own  hands.  His  divei'sitied  attainments  in  natural  philoso- 
phy, and  general  as  well  as  professional  literature,  were 
called  into  the  service  of  learned  institutions,  and  private 
students  throughout  the  country,  and  his  judgment,  skill 
and  taste  employed  to  aid  in  the  selection  and  importa- 
tion of  standard  books,  and  the  most  approved  philosoph- 
ical apparatus.  Colleges,  academies,  and  libraries,  in  all 
parts  of  the  Union,  have  now  in  their  lecture-rooms  and 
alcoves,  the  fruits  of  their  correspondence  with  him  ;  and 
machines  contrived  or  improved  by  him,  and  constructed 
in  his  own  laboratory,  are  still  regarded  as  invaluable, 
in  displaying  the  wonders  of  the  creation,  in  the  laws 
and  growths  of  nature,  or  the  starry  firmament  on  high. 
His  homo  was  at  once  a  lecture-room  and  school  of 
philosophy,  over  open  to  contribute  to  the  delight  and 
instruction  of  neighbors  or  strangers,  in  tho  diversified 
methods  by  which  the  lucernal  microscope,  magic  lantern, 
telescope,  air-pump,  electric  jar,  or  other  philosophical 
machines  are  put  to  their  uses  by  a  skilful  hand.  It  is 
impossible  to  estimate  the  value  or  the  extent  of  the 


'^k*i>5Sft^^^*S*Tfc4s^^-*^^J■■^^:*-;*ft^'-3ifc='-■- 


22 


O 


sorvino  ho  thus  rondonul  with  ghul  enthusiasm,  aiul  uii- 
vvoariiid  constancy,  all  his  life  Ion*,',  to  ever  welcome 
jynests.  Many  ii  yonnjif  mind  was  thus  opened  to  discern 
the  value,  and  inspired  to  pursue  the  attainments,  of 
science  and  phiU)sophy.  The  iiterest  so  deeply  taken  in 
such  subjects,  in  his  early  youth,  by  him  whoso  character 
wo  have  met  to  consider,  was  gratefully  attributed,  in  a 
large  measure,  to  the  happy  hours  he  sjjont  in  Dr.  Prince's 
laboratory  and  library. 

Benjamin  Lynde  Oliver,  M.  D.,  A.  A.  S.,  was  also 
a  philosophical  mechanician,  illustrating  his  favorite 
branches  of  science  by  machinery  of  his  own  construc- 
tion, operating  upon  brass  or  glass.  Ho  was  a  scientific 
musician,  astronomer  and  optician ;  had  an  ex<iuisito 
classical  and  artistic  taste,  and  was  an  elegant  bellen- 
leltres  scholar  and  writer. 

The  Rev.  William  Bentley,  D.  D.,  S.  P.  A.,  was  emi- 
nent as  a  person  of  very  various  attainments  in  philosophy 
and  literature,  of  large  acquaintanco  with  books  beyond 
the  range  of  ordinary  reading,  extending  his  researches 
to  foreign  libraries,  particularly  to  oriental  sources.  He 
was  deeply  interested  in  geographical  studies,  and  always 
zealously  engaged  in  exploring  local  antiquities ;  his 
multifarious  attainments  in  that  line,  are  illustrated  in  his 
"Description  and  History  of  Salem,"  occasional  published 
discourses,  and  especially  in  the  colunms  of  the  local 
press  to  which  he  was  a  constant  contributor.  His  rare 
attainments,  great  benevolence  of  life,  ardent  patriotism, 
originality  and  independence  of  character,  mental  activity, 
and  social  spirit,  made  hiih  altogether  a  most  marked  and 
interesting  personage,  gave  an  impulse  to  the  thoughts  of 
men,  and  left  a  stamp  upon  the  general  intelligence  of 
the  community  not  soon  to  be  effaced  or  forgotten. 


t8 


iMin,  and  iiii- 
vcr  wolcoino 
Btl  to  (liscorn 
iiiiitneiitM,  of 
nply  ttikiin  in 
1)80  clmructor 
tributod,  in  a 
I  Dr.  Prince's 

S.,  was  also 
his  fuvorito 
wn  constrnc- 
as  a  scientific 
an  nx(]nisite 
legaut  belt&i- 

A.,  was  emi- 
in  philosophy 
tooks  beyond 
lis  researches 
sources.  He 
8,  and  always 
equities ;  his 
istrated  in  his 
nal  published 
of  the  local 
or.  His  rare 
it  patriotism, 
ental  activity, 
it  marked  and 
le  thoughts  of 
ntelligence  of 
gotten. 


John  Dexter  Troadwell,  M.  D.,  .v.  A.  S.,  was  a  man  of 
strong  indiviiliiality  and  inipreH.sivenesH  of  clmracter,  of 
extensive  learning  outside  of,  as  well  as  in,  iiis  profeHnion, 
particularly  in  the  h^xicography  and  interpretation  of  the 
Greek  and  Hebrew  Scriptures.  His  frank  and  forcil)lo 
expri'ssions  as  ho  moved  about  among  the  people  in  his 
ext«Misivo  practice,  were  suggestive  and  stimulating  to 
the  mental  ac^tivitios  of  the  community. 

Nathani(d  Bowditeh,  LL.  D.,  S.  P.  A.,Ava8  President 
of  the  American  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences,  and  n 
Fellow  of  the  Koyal  Society  of  London.  Similar  bodies, 
ill  the  great  centres  of  science  in  foreign  countries, 
honored  themselves  by  inscribing  his  great  name  on  their 
rolls.  He  was  a  writer  of  recognized  authority  in 
astronomy  and  kindred  departments.  His  translation  of 
the  "Mecaniciue  Celeste,"  with  the  commentary  that  accom- 
panies and  gives  completeness  to  it,  places  his  name 
where  none  other  stands,  by  the  side  of  LaPlace.  His 
"  Practical  Navigator,"  cannot  be  displaced  as  a  standard 
work,  and  will  forever  guide  the  sailor  over  the  trackless 
deep.  As  a  mathematician  ho  holds  the  front  rank,  and 
will  through  all  coming  time.  Dr.  Bowditeh  was  not,  as 
one  would  suppose  from  the  amount  of  hard  mental  work 
he  performed,  a  recluse,  wholly  absorbed  by  calculation 
and  the  solution  of  profound  problems  requiring  the 
utmost  concentration  of  mind  ;  ho  was  a  social,  cheerful, 
lively  man,  mixing  with  the  people,  more  active  in  prac- 
tical every  day  affairs  than  most  persons,  with  faculties 
ever  free  and  fresh,  in  all  neighborly,  friendly,  and 
domestic  relations  and  circles.  The  influence  of  such  a 
character,  upon  the  prevalent  ideas  of  the  community  in 
which  he  lived  cannot  be  overrated. 

To  show  how  fully  I  am  sustained  in  the  reasoning 


"'wsssaSmfeS^SSaSife 


34 

which  these  instances  are  cited  to  support,  the  following 
passage  from  Dr.  Bowditch's  will  is  presented  : 

"Item.  Ifc  is  well  known,  that,  the  valuable  scientific 
library  of  the  celebrated  Dr.  Richard  Kirwan  Avas,  during 
the  revolutionary  war,  captured  in  the  British  channel, 
on  its  way  to  Ireland,  by  a  Beverly  privateer ;  and  that, 
by  the  liberal  and  enlightened  views  of  the  owners  of  the 
vessel,  the  library  thus  captured  was  sold  at  a  very  low 
rate ;  and  in  this  manner  was  laid  the  foundation,  upon 
Avhich  has  since  been  successively  established,  the  Philo- 
sophical Library,  so-called,  and  the  present  Salem  Athe- 
UiBum.  Thus,  in  early  life,  I  found  near  me  a  better 
collection  of  philosophical  and  scientific  works  than  could 
be  found  in  any  other  part  of  the  United  States  nearer 
than  Philadelphia.  And  by  the  kindness  of  its  propri- 
etors I  was  permitted  freely  to  take  books  from  that 
library,  and  to  consult  and  study  them  at  pleasure.  This 
inestimable  advantage  has  made  me  deeply  a  debtor  to 
the  Salem  Athenteum :  and  I  do  therefore  give  to  that 
Institution  the  sum  of  one  thousand  dollars,  the  income 
thereof  to  be  forever  applied  to  the  promotion  of  its 
objects,  and  the  extension  of  its  usefulness." 

When  we  consider  that  he  gave  legacies,  of  the  same 
amount  each,  to  the  Salem  Marine  Society  and  the  East 
India  Marine  Society,  both  which  institutions. had  be- 
friended him  or  his  relations,  and  which,  in  their  respec- 
tive spheres,  have  done  so  much  to  raise  the  character  and 
improve  the  coudition  of  our  maritime  population,  and 
take  into  the  account  the  means  and  circumstances  of  the 
donor,  they  cannot  but  be  regarded  as  noble  benefactions, 
and  demonstrative  of  the  depth  of  his  gratitude. 

If  Richard  Kirwan  could  have  foreseen  the  testimony 
that  has  just  been  read,  he  would  have  felt  his  loss  more 
than  remunerated,  and,  in  the  magnanimous  spirit  with 
which  he  refused  pecuniary  compensation,  given  thanks 


25 


)rt,  the  following 
iented : 

valuable  scientific 
rwan  Avas,  during 

British  channel, 
rateer;  and  that, 
the  owners  of  the 
Ad  at  a  very  low 

foundation,  upon 
lished,  the  Philo- 
3ent  Salem  Athe- 
near  me  a  better 
works  than  could 
ited  States  nearer 
ess  of  its  propri- 

books  from  that 
it  pleasure.  This 
eeply  a  debtor  to 
(fore  give  to  that 
ollars,  the  income 
promotion  of  its 
less." 

acies,  of  the  same 
ciety  and  the  East 
stitutions.had  be- 
1,  in  their  respec- 
e  the  character  and 
e  population,  and 
'cumstances  of  the 
loble  benefactions, 
gratitude, 
seen  the  testimony 
felt  his  loss  more 
limous  spirit  with 
tion,  given  thanks 


that  his  books  did  not  reach  their  destiuation,  but  were 
diverted  to  this  place.  If  the  institutions,  whose  influence 
I  am  sketching,  had  done  no  more  than  open  the  path 
through  which  the  mind  of  Bowditch  advanced  to  its 
achievements,  they  would  have  amply  repaid  the  public- 
spirited  efforts  of  their  founders.  But  they  raised  up  and 
stimulated  the  intellects  of  many  others,  as  I  proceed  to 
show  by  continuing  the  list  of  those  who,  at  the  same 
time,  adorned  and  illuminated  this  community. 

John  Pickering,  LL.  D.,  S.  P.  A.,  was  President  of 
the  American  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences.  As  a 
Greek  scholar,  and  lexicographer  ho  had  no  superior, 
and  his  attainments  were  great  in  universal  Philology, 
embracing  the  languages  of  continental  Europe,  and 
extending  to  Oriental  nations.  He  had  made  wide  re- 
searches also  in  the  aboriginal  tongues  of  America. 
Foreign  scholars  recognized  his  name,  and  welcomed  his 
labors.  He  was  an  honorary  member  of  the  Academy  of 
Science  and  Literature  of  Palermo,  and  a  corresponding 
member  of  the  Archaeological  Society  of  Athens.  He 
was  conversant  with  general  literature,  a  master  of  the 
culture  derived  from  all  the  fields  of  classic  lore,  and,  at 
the  same  time,  a  learned  and  active  lawyer.  Residence 
in  earlier  life  in  diplomatic  circles,  at  European  courts, 
had  added  to  the  natural  dignity  of  his  presence,  and 
given  a  polished  refinement  to  the  courtesy  and  gentleness 
of  his  manners.  An  unobtrusive  modesty  and  simplicity 
of  demeanor,  an  easy  recognition  of  all  pleasant  and 
playful  phases  of  conversation,  an  affectionate  geniality, 
and  a  pervading  kindness  of  expression  towards  all  de- 
scriptions of  persons,  made  him  as  fine  a  specimen  of 
what  constitutes  the  real  gentleman  as  can  anywhere  be 

found. 

4 


-:'M&*&m^mm^^ss^tm^mmmk 


26 

Daniel  Appleton  White,  LL.  D.,  A.  A.  S.,  was  a  man 
of  strong  intellectual  faculties,  highly  educated,  and  of 
extensive  attainments  beyond  the  range  of  his  profession. 
No  one  among  us  has  been  a  more  earnest  or  efficient 
patron  of  literary  and  scientific  institutions,  and  traces 
are  here  to  be  found,  as  monuments  exist  in  a  sister  city 
of  our  county,  of  his  zeal  and  munificence  in  the  cause 
of  popular  education,  and  the  diffusion  of  the  means  of 
knowledge.  Scholars,  philosophers,  and  distinguished 
persons  of  all  sorts,  visiting  our  city,  were  welcomed  to 
his  generous  hospitality,  while  many  an  humble,  but 
aspiring,  student  felt  the  cheering  and  sustaining  influ- 
ence of  his  liberal  sympathy  and  substantial  aid. 

Joseph  Story,  LL.  D.,  A.  A.  S.,  S.  P.  A.,  trained  the 
classes  in  the  Law  School  of  our  University  in  all  the 
learning  of  his  profession,  and  from  the  Supreme  Bench 
of  the  Union  announced,  with  acknowledged  authority, 
the  interpretation  of  the  Constitution,  and  the  force  and 
limitation  of  the  Statutes  of  Nation  and  State.  His 
published  works  exhaust  the  topics  of  judicial  lore,  and 
are  standard  text  books  in  courts  at  home  and  abroad. 
Besides  all  this  he  was  a  public  orator,  and  shone  in 
general  literary  accomplishments.  His  eloquence  and 
energy  were  always  at  hand  to  advance  the  intellectual 
condition  of  the  people. 

Either  of  these  ten  men,  all  living  here  together, 
would  have  been  recognized  as  an  intellectual  leader  and 
head,  in  any  of  our  great  cities.  Combined  they  were  a 
constellation  rarely  equalled,  anywhere,  in  any  age. 
They  were  none  of  them  mere  bookish  men,  standing 
aloof  from  the  community,  but  severally  among  the 
people,  and  of  the  people  ;  to  be  seen  daily,  as  much  as 
any  class  of  persons,  in  the  streets,  social  circles,  and 


i.n.WBBUIWTg.-pi 


27 


,  was  a  man 

iated,  and  of 

is  profession. 

t  or  efficient 

3,  and  traces 

a  sister  city 

in  the  cause 

the  means  of 

distinguished 

welcomed  to 

humble,  but 

taining  inilu- 

aid. 

.,  trained  the 
ity  in  all  the 
ipreme  Bench 
ed  authority, 
the  force  and 
.  State.  His 
cial  lore,  and 
!  and  abroad, 
and  shone  in 
loqueuce  and 
le  intellectual 

lere  together, 
al  leader  and 
i  they  were  a 
in  any  age. 
nen,  standing 
y  among  the 
ly,  as  much  as 
1  circles,  and 


places  of  public  resort.  They  took  as  active  and  efficient 
a  part  in  local  affairs  as  others.  They  were  always  in 
lively  contact  with  their  fellow  citizens,  without  reserve, 
hauteur,  or  pretension.  It  is  obvious  that  their  influence 
upon  the  condition  and  current  of  popular  thought  could 
not  but  have  been  most  potent  and  far  I'eaching. 

There  were  many  others,  younger  men,  of  marked 
eminence,  adding  to  the  mental  stimulus  of  the  place. 

Leverett  Saltonstall,  LL.  D.,  A.  A.  S.,  did  not  forget, 
while  in  extensive  professional  practice,  to  keep  a  deep 
interest  in  the  general  culture  and  higher  welfare  of  the 
community.  Education,  fine  faculties,  fluent  speech,  a 
generous  and  magnanimous  nature  made  him  a  persuasive 
and  impressive  speaker  at  the  bar,  and  in  popular  assem- 
blies. Literary  tastes,  the  warmth  of  his  heart,  sympathy 
with  all  amiable  human  affections,  a  manly  ease  and  free- 
dom of  address  gave  him  a  just  influence  in  private 
circles,  and  all  associated  forms  of  action.  He  was  an 
enthusiast  in  whatever  relates  to  colonial  or  local  history, 
and  the  memorv  of  the  Fathers.  One  of  the  founders 
of  the  Essex  Historical  Society,  and  always  an  active 
member,  he  was  selected  to  deliver  the  Addi'ess,  on  the 
197th  anniversary  of  the  landing  of  Endicott.  The  occa- 
sion was  observed,  Sept.  6th,  1825,  with  much  public 
interest,  in  the  meeting-house  of  the  First  Church.  A 
large  audience  appreciated  the  ability  and  eloquence 
of  the  discourse,  which  gave  an  early  and  efficient  im- 
pulse to  the  commemorative  spirit  now  happily  pervading 
the  land. 

Benjamin  Merrill,  LL.  D.,  was  a  learned  lawyer  and 
scholar,  the  influence  of  whose  pleasant  humor,  polished 
and  pregnant  wit,  and  acuteness  and  force  of  thought 
enlivened  conversation  and  gave  eflect  to  the  productions 


28 

of  his  pen  in  racy  articles,  long  continuing  to  add  attrac- 
tiveness to  the  local  press,  particularly  to  the  Salem 
Gazette. 

David  Cummings,  a  man  of  strong  powers,  and  promi- 
nent at  the  bar,  is  well  remembered  for  his  ardent  natural 
eloquence  at  public  meetings  and  in  addresses  to  juries. 
His  pure  and  noble  spirit,  and  transparent  character, 
secured  the  respect  and  confidence  of  all,  while  his 
genial  ingenuousness,  freshness  of  thought  and  expres- 
sion, acuteness  of  perception,  keen  but  playful  and 
beniffnant  satire,  and  an  enthusiasm  all  his  own,  de- 
lighted  every  circle  in  which  he  moved. 

Joseph  E.  Sprague,  was  early  drawn  from  legal  prac- 
tice into  political  life,  in  which  few  ever  bore  a  more 
active  or  efficient  part.  His  facile,  rapid,  and  felicitous 
pen  was  always  ready  to  meet  the  demands  of  the  hour, 
not  merely  for  party  purposes,  but  to  give  expression  to 
worthy  sentiments  on  the  topics  and  occurrences  that 
arrested  notice  from  time  to  time.  Like  his  classmate 
Men-ill,  he  fully  discharged  his  obligations  to  the  public 
by  using  the  columns  of  the  Eegister  to  promote  the 
intelligence,  and  guide  the  thoughts  of  the  people.  Sal- 
tonstall  and  Merrill,  on  one  side,  and  Cummini^s  and 
Sprague,  on  the  other,  were  leading  actors. in  political 
operations,  at  a  time  when  party  passions  were  exasper- 
ated beyond  the  experience  of  our  day,  but  so  liberal 
and  enlightened  were  their  spirits  that  the  bonds  of  per- 
sonal friendship  were  never  severed  between  them,  and 
they  acted  cordially  together  in  giving  their  sympathy 
and  influence  to  the  general  welfare  and  progress  of 
society. 

John  Glen  King,  a  learned  lawyer,  had  rare  classical 
attainments,  and  was  widely  known  as  one  of  the  choicest 


-felWM.ttf'iHt'MaillUJW 


0  add  attrac- 
0   the  Salem 

i,  and  promi- 
rdent  natural 
jses  to  juries. 
Qt  character, 
1,  while  his 
;  and  expi-es- 
playful  and 
his  own,  de- 

m  legal  prac- 
bore  a  more 
and  felicitous 
i  of  the  hour, 
expression  to 
urrences  that 
his  classmate 
to  the  public 
promote  the 
people.  Sal- 
umminj^s  and 
•s-in  political 
ivere  exasper- 
)ut  so  liberal 
bonds  of  per- 
jen  them,*  and 
leir  sympathy 
i  progress  of 

rare  classical 
of  the  choicest 


S9 

scholars  of  his  period.  He  studied  the  writings  of  the 
early  fathers  of  the  Christian  Church  to  an  extent  which 
but  few  clergymen  have  equalled. 

Keuben  Dimond  Mussey,  M.  D,,  LL.  D.,  A.  A.  S., 
was  a  leading  practitioner  here,  and  established  a  national 
reputation  that  ultimately  drew  him  to  the  West,  where 
he  was  welcomed  as  one  of  the  heads  of  his  profession. 
While  in  Salem,  in  1812  and  1813,  he  gave  courses  of 
lectures  on  chemistry,  imparting  such  an  interest,  in  this 
community,  to  that  subject  that  the  thoughts  of  enter- 
prising business  men  were  particularly  turned  to  it ;  and 
as  is  generally  supposed,  the  Laboratory,  incorporated  in 
1819,  which  has  been  in  successful  operation  ever  since, 
manufacturing,  on  a  large  scale,  aquafortis,  muriatic  acid, 
oil  of  vitriol,  blue  vitriol  and  alum,  was  the  result.  For 
many  years  he  had  in  charge  the  medical  department  of 
Dartmouth  College,  lecturing  on  the  Theory  and  Practice 
of  Medicine,  Materia  Medica,  Surgery,  and  Medical 
Jurisprudence. 

Daniel  Oliver  M.  D.,  LL.  D.,  A.  A.  S.,  was  associated 
with  Dr.  Mussey  in  practice,  and  cooperated  in  con- 
ducting the  lectures  on  chemistry.  In  1820,  he  was 
elected  Professor  in  the  Medical  School  of  Dartmouth 
College,  and  also  filled  the  chair  of  Intellectual  and  Moral 
Philosophy  there,  continuing  in  the  discharge  of  his 
duties  with  high  reputation  until  1837.  Subsequently  he 
was  called  to  a  professorship  in  the  college  of  Ohio. 
After  a  brief,  but  distinguished  service  in  that  new  and 
wider  field,  he  was  compelled  to  relinquish  his  labors  by 
a  disease  which  proved  fatal  in  1842.  He  was  a  learned, 
able,  and  accomplished  scholar,  outside  of  his  profession, 
of  rare  attainments  in  classical,  French  and  German 
literature.     His    tastes,   manners,   and    character    were 


"J|llMJ«tfCT»)lll-UI»U»MIMi  "W— ^T-HMj^Jife^,; 


30 

eminently  refined,  delicate  and  retiring ;  but  there  was, 
notwithstanding,  a  universal  recognition  of  his  merits. 
His  work  entitled  "First  Lines  of  Physiology,"  is  a 
standard  authority.  The  leading  collegiate  institutions 
of  his  own  country  conferred  upon  him  their  diplomas, 
and  he  was  an  honorary  member  of  the  Academy  of 
Science  and  Literature  at  Palermo. 

Henry  Alexander  Scammell  Dearborn,  A.  A.  S.,  after 
completing  his  professional  preparation  in  the  office  of 
Judge  Story,  entered  upon  the  practice  of  law  here,  and 
was  early  brought  into  particular  notice  by  addresses  on 
public  occasions,  and  articles  in  leading  journals  and 
magazines.  His  attention  was  given  to  Agriculture  as  a 
science  and  art,  especially  to  Horticulture.  No  one  did 
more  to  inspire  a  taste  and  interest  in  such  subjects,  and 
in  recognition  of  this  fact,  the  municipal  authorities,  in 
laying  out  a  street  bordered  by  proprietors  engaged  in 
rearing  nurseries  of  trees  and  flowers,  called  it  by  hj^ 
name.  General  Dearborn  was  the  first  President  of  the 
Massachusetts  Horticultural  Society .  The  traces  of  his 
hand  are  to  be  seen  at  Mount  Auburn,  and  the  Forest 
Hills  Cemetery  in  Roxbury,  the  place  of  his  residence 
during  much  of  the  latter  portion  of  his  life.  He  was 
long  in  the  public  service  in  local,  state,  and  national 
offices.  He  was  the  author  of  valuable  works  relating  to 
commerce  and  internal  improvements,  as  well  as  Agri- 
culture ;  and  in  the  department  of  biography,  naval  and 
military.  He  wrote,  not  so  much  from  ambition  in 
authorship,  as  from  the  love  of  literary  occupation,  and 
for  the  gratification  of  his  sense  of  the  beautiful  in  art, 
leaving  behind  him  elaborate,  exquisitely  finished  and 
embellished  manuscript  volumes,  designed  as  memorials 
for  his  friends  and  family,  on  Architecture  and  Flowers ; 


'  -■■■taMTWSH'.g.'/'i.JWWlfHWMMM 


■■■  "T^T^-Ts^-'^-.^-yj'' 


81 


it  there  was, 
his  merits, 
ology,"  is  a 
)  institutions 
sir  diplomas, 
Academy  of 

..  A.  S.,  after 
the  office  of 
[aw  here,  and 
addresses  on 
journals  and 
riculture  as  a 

No  one  did 
subjects,  and 
luthorities,  in 
s  engaged  in 
led  it  by  hj^ 
isident  of  the 

traces  of  his 
id  the  Forest 
his  residence 
life.     He  was 

and  national 
ks  relating  to 
well  as  Agri- 
liy,  naval  and 

ambition  in 
icupation,  and 
iautiful  in  art, 

finished  and 

as  memorials 

and  Flowers; 


and  also  a  Life  of  Christ,  in  which  all  the  passages  of 
scripture  relating  to  it,  are  collected  and  harmonized  into 
a  continuous  narrative. 

Joseph  Emerson  Worcester,  LL.  D.,  A.  A.  S.,  passed 
some  years  here  as  a  teacher,  engaged,  at  the  same  time 
in  preparing  his  Geographical  Dictionary  or  Universal 
Gazetteer.  Publications  of  this  class  secured  him  the 
honor  of  election  as  a  corresponding  member  of  the 
Boyal  Geographical  Society  of  London.  In  the  Athe- 
naeum and  private  libraries,  and  the  society  of  our  culti- 
vated men  and  accurate  scholars,  he  was  preparing  his 
mind  for  the  great  work  of  his  life — that  monument  of 
patience,  perseverence,  judgment,  taste  and  learning  — 
The  Dictionary  of  the  English  Language. 

Thomas  Cole,  A.  A.  8.,  was  a  thoroughly  trained 
scholar  and  teacher,  conversant  with  the  various  depart- 
ments of  science  and  philosophy,  particularly  astronomy 
and  meteorology,  and  occupying  the  first  rank  of  micro- 
scopists,  pursuing  researches  to  the  minutest  recesses  of 
the  fields  of  natural  science. 

William  Gibbs,  shrinking  from  observation  with  the 
most  sensitive  modesty  and  humility,  could  not  es- 
cape being  recognized  as  an  antiquarian  explorer,  as 
exact,  thorough  and  successful  as  any  we  have  ever  had 
among  us. 

Malthus  Augustus  Ward,  M.  D.,  also  a  person  of  un- 
obtrusive deportment,  in  addition  to  the  learning  of  his 
profession,  pursued  the  science  of  natural  history  with  a 
quiet  enthusiasm  that  conducted  him  to  wide  attainments 
in  that  department,  especially  in  botany.  He  removed  to 
Athens,  in  Georgia,  and  during  the  residue  of  his  life 
was  connected  with  the  University  there,  as  Professor  in 
his  favorite  branch.     In  that  service  he  exerted  an  ex- 


sanemeumKHsmKurr 


■1        ■        "tSSasK 


,  '■-'.i~j;::smm:!^^Ski-^i&iimsi^:s^^MZi>mm-^Mmm:': 


32 

tensive  influence  in  behalf  of  science  and  learning,  con- 
ferring lasting  benefit  upon  the  young  men  then  passing 
through  the  academic  course.  Among  his  pupils  was 
Alexander  H.  Stephens,  who  has  expressed  to  me  in  the 
strongest  terms  the  value  he  and  all  others  attached  to 
Dr.  Ward's  instructions,  gratefully  ascribing  to  him  the 
credit  of  directing  the  studies,  guiding  the  tastes,  and 
stimulating  the  minds  of  those  frequenting  his  lecture- 
rooms  and  participating  in  explorations  and  observations 
of  the  surrounding  region,  over  which  he  was  wont  to 
lead  them,  disclosing  the  beauties  and  wonders  of  nature. 
Near  the  close  of  the  period,  to  which  I  am  referring, 
in  1820  and  1821,  the  corps  of  our  enlightened  citizens 
and  highly  educated  men  was  reinforced  by  the  settlement 
here  of  two  distinguished  clergymen,  John  Brazer,  D.  D., 
A.  A.  S.,  Professor  of  Latin  in  Harvard  University,  a 
ripe  classical  scholar,  of  extensive  attainments  in  general, 
especially  in  critical,  learning,  and  a  writer  of  unsurpassed 
clearness,  accuracy,  and  purity  of  style;  and  James 
Flint,  D.  D.,  whose  mind  was  also  stored  with  the  treas- 
ures of  classical,  as  well  as  sacred  literature.  Familiar 
with  the  best  productions  in  prose  and  verse  of  English 
authors,  bearing  in  his  memory  all  their  finest  passages, 
a  rich  imagination,  and  free  and  fervid  expression,  gave 
to  his  private  conversation  and  public  discourses,  and  to 
occasional  poetic  pieces  that  will  never  be  forgotten,  the 
power  of  eloquence  and  the  stamp  of  genius. 

All  these  were  either  early  trained  in  academic  disci- 
pline, or  mainly  devoted  to  studious  pursuits.  But  there 
were  others,  self-educated,  and  engaged  in  ordinary  occu- 
pations of  active  life,  foreign  from  literature  or  science, 
who,  like  the  subject  of  this  memoir,  found  time,  not- 
withstanding, to  gratify  a  love  of  knowledge  by  pros- 


88 


larning,  con- 
then  passing 
pupils  was 
to  me  in  the 
attached  to 
:  to  him  the 
tastes,  and 
his  lecture- 
observations 
(vas  wont  to 
PS  of  nature, 
im  referring, 
med  citizens 
le  settlement 
razer,  D.  D., 
Jniversity,  a 
ts  in  general, 
unsurpassed 
and  James 
th  the  treas- 
•e.     Familiar 
le  of  English 
est  passages, 
ressiou,  gave 
arses,  and  to 
brgotten,  the 

idomic  disci- 
i.  But  there 
rdinary  occu- 
•e  or  science, 
id  time,  not- 
Ige  by  pros- 


ecuting, as  a  recreation  and  for  thoir  private  enjoyment, 
researches  in  intellectiiiil  and  philosophical  spheres,  and 
whoso  habits  and  attainments  were  Avell  known,  and 
operated  as  an  incentive  to  others. 

Jonathan  Webb,  an  apothecary,  attentive  to  his  busi- 
ness and  an  active  and  efficient  citizen,  was  an  electrician 
without  a  superior,  retreating,  in  his  leisure  hours,  to 
apartments  provided  for  the  purpose  within  his  own 
premises,  and  filled  with  apparatus  upon  which  he  prac- 
ticed and  experimented,  developing  the  wondrous  prop- 
erties of  the  element  of  nature,  in  whose  study  ho  was 
an  enthusiast. 

Thomas  Spencer,  an  English  emigrant,  in  the  hum- 
blest condition,  a  tallow  chandler  by  trade,  and  for  some 
time  without  any  means  but  what  were  supplied  by  indus- 
trious toil,  as  a  day  laborer,  after  a  while  became  known 
as  a  philosophic  lover  of  nature,  and  a  refined  and  beau- 
tiful writer.  His  lectures,  on  the  forest  trees  of  this 
neighborhood  and  on  the  phenomena  of  light  and  the 
laws  of  vision,  were  performances  of  exquisite  finish. 
Although  his  condition  was  originally  lowly  and  obscure, 
having  been  bom  with  a  pure  and  gifted  genius,  and, 
through  all  disadvantages,  cultivated  his  mind  from  child- 
hood, lie  here  soon  found  friends,  and  a  public  that  ap- 
preciated him.  He  is  still  living,  his  venerable  ago 
illuminated  by  mental  and  moral  accomplishments,  an 
opulent  and  extensive  landholder  in  one  of  the  richest 
agricultural  counties  of  England.  His  history  is,  indeed, 
invested  with  a  truly  romantic  interest.  Messages  of 
love,  received  from  time  to  time,  show  that  he  remem- 
bers, with  affectionate  and  grateful  feelings,  the  friend- 
ship and  sympathy  he  here  enjoyed. 

There  was  a  young  man,  employed  as  a  clerk  in  the 
5 


SI  iilSJvHJ^ttX--  < 


counting-rooms  of  one  of  our  grent  mei'chants,  afterwavtls 
cnn-ying  on,  for  a  while,  u  retail  store,  whoso   exuberant 
spirits  Piado  him  the  life  of  all  companies,  in  scenes  of 
innocent  social  gnyety,  but  who  early  caught  the  inspira- 
tion of  the  place,  and  seized  every  available  moment  to 
enrich  his  mind  by  the  study  of  the  befct  English  works. 
Upon  reaching  an  adult  age  he,  at  once,  made  himself 
felt  as  a  devoted  supporter  of  all  movements  in  favor  of 
the  difi'usion  of  knowledge  ;  and  to  his  inspiring  activity 
and  contagious  enthusiasm,  the  Essex  Historical  Society 
largely  owes  its  origin.     After  an  aI)8enco  of  forty  years, 
during  which  he  was  deeply  engaged  in  business,  con- 
nected  with   the   transaction    of    extensive    commercial 
affairs,  in  New  York,  Europe,  and  California,  he  returned 
with  unabated  zeal  to  give,  in  the  last  year  of  his  life,  an 
impulse  to  the  Essex  Institute  it  will  feel  forever.     Al- 
though always  immersed  in  occupations  aside  from  litera- 
ture that  would  have  wholly  absorbed,  if  not  exhausted, 
other  men,  George  Atkinson  Ward  continued  thti  prepara- 
tion, he  hero  began,  to  take  his  place  permanently  among 
men  of  letters.     From  time  to  time  the  productions  of 
his  pen  gave  vivacity  to  the  columns  of  periodicals  ;  and 
he  lived  to  complete  the  fourth  edition  of  his  "Journal 
and  Letters  of  Samuel  Curwen."    The  wiitings  of  Judge 
Curwen  were  the  products  and  the  evidence  of  the  taste 
and  culture  that  prevailed  here  duriug  the  last  century, 
and  the  volume  in  which  Mr.  Ward  presented  them  to 
the  public,  with  the  value  added  by  his  editorial  labors, 
is    secure,  I    am   confident,  of  holding  its  place,  in  all 
coming  time,  as  a  standard  work,  containing  much  that 
illustrates  the  opening  of  the  revolutionary  struggle,  and 
ffivins:  the  best  view  that  ever  has  been  presented,  or  can 
ever  be  obtained,  of  the  interior  social  condition  of  the 
mother  country  at  that  period. 


,  afterwanla 
)  exuborant 

n   8C'0IK'8    of 

tlio  iiispiru- 

inoment  to 
flish  works, 
lado  himself 

in  favor  of 
•ing  activity 
ical  Society 

forty  years, 
isiness,  con- 

comniereial 

he  returned 
f  his  life,  an 
ji'ever.     Al- 

froni  litera- 
it  exhausted, 

tiui  prepara- 
ently  among 
•oductions  of 
odicals ;  and 
liis  "Journal 
igs  of  Judge 
!  of  the  taste 
last  century, 
ited  them  to 
;orial  labors, 
place,  in  all 
g  much  that 
struggle,  and 
ented,  or  can 
idition  of  the 


Behind  the  counter  of  a  retail  store,  on  Essex  street, 
at  the  period  now  un<ler  review,  was  to  \w  found  a  per- 
son i)ursuing  the  daily  routine  of  a  most  unpretentious 
life,  apparently  thinking  of  nothing  else  than  the  accom- 
modation of  customers,  in  the  exhibition  of  his  stock, 
and  measuring  out,  by  the  yard,  linen,  cotton,  ribbons 
and  tape.  Ho  was,  apparently,  beyond  middle  life,»of  a 
mild  and  courteous  demeanor,  quiet,  and  of  few  words. 
TIku'c  was,  it  is  true,  in  his  mein  and  manners,  a  com- 
bined gentleness  and  dignity,  that  marked  him  as  differ- 
ing from  the  common  run  of  men,  but  nothing  to  indi- 
cate the  tenor  of  his  peculiar  mental  occupations.  The 
leisure  hoiu's  of  that  man  were  employed  in  patient, 
minute,  comprehensive  and  far  reaching  researches  in 
books,  quarterly  journals,  magazines,  and  political  docu- 
ments, guided  by  a  cultivated  taste,  keen  discrimination, 
familiarity  with  the  best  models  of  style  and  thought, 
and  intimate  acquaintance  with  the  biographical  details  of 
all  the  prominent  public  characters  of  England,  and  their 
personal,  family,  and  party  relations  to  each  other,  that 
enabled  him  to  grapple  with  a  subject,  that  was  engross- 
ing and  defying  the  ingenuity  of  them  all,  and  thereby 
to  place  himself  as  a  peer  among  the  literati  of  his  day. 
The  most  critical  and  distinguished  minds,  on  both  sides 
of  the  Atlantic,  at  that  time  and  for  a  great  length  of 
years,  were  engaged  in  elaborate  and  indefatigable  efforts 
to  solve  a  problem,  which  more  and  longer,  perhaps, 
than  any  similar  inquisition,  has  arrested  the  curiosity 
and  scrutiny  of  mankind. 

A  series  of  letters,  from  January,  1769,  to  January, 
1772,  appeared  in  a  London  paper,  the  "Public  Adver- 
tiser," over  the  signature  of  "Junius,"  discussing  the 
conduct  of  the  ministers  of  government,  measures  of  ad- 


""(WrfM*** 


^ 


niiiuMtriition,  ami  tlio  t-hnriu'torH  of  living  HtntcHiiu'ii,  in  a 
Btyin  of  (!U'ji;antc,  Hcvority,  force  and  t'll'cctivcness,  never 
BinpaHsed,   if  ever   equalled.     They   were   felt   and   ae- 
knowledged  then,  as  they  are  now,  to  ho  masterpieces,  in 
grace  of  diction  and  power  of  thought.     In  the  most 
wonderful  manner  their  authorHhip  was  kept  concealed 
against  a  pressure  that  exhausted  every  form  of  vigilance 
and  espionage  that  could  ho  brought  to  hear.     As,  week 
after  week,  they  shook  the  mind  of  England  and  the  age 
to  its  centre,  and  flashed  before  all  eyes,  as  from  a  gal- 
vanic battery,  living  pictures  of  the  great  men  of  that 
period,  of  course  they  became  the  subject  of  universal 
and  most  exciting  interest,  growing  deeper  and  stronger 
from  day  to  day.     Who  is  the  author  of  these  letters? 
was  the  question  on  all  lips.     To  give  an  idea  of  the 
kind  of  sensation  created  by  them,  I  present  a  few  speci- 
mens of  the  manner  in  which  their  "great  unknown" 
author  is  spoken  of.     The  Avriter  of  the  article  on  the 
subject  in  the  "Encyclopujdia  Americana,"  thus  charac- 
terizes him.     "His  style  is  severe,  concise,  epigrammatic 
and  polished ;  his  reasoning  powerful ;  his  invective  un- 
sparing and  terrible."    Again:  "lie  was  evidently  ac- 
quainted, not  only  with  the  court,  but  Avith  the  city; 
with  the  history,  private  intrigues,  and  secret  characters 
of  the  great ;  with  the  management  of  the  public  oflSces ; 
with  the  proceedings  of  Parliament  (  not  then,  as  since, 
public);   and  also  with  the  official  underlings,  through 
whom  he  sometimes  condescends  to  laeh  their  superiors. 
With  this  extensive  information,  he  united  a  boldness, 
vehemence,  and  rancor,  which,  while  ho  spared  no  one, 
stopped  at  nothing,  and  rendered  him  an  object  of  terror 
to  those  whom  he  attacked.     To  use  his  own  language, 
'he  gathers  like  a  tempest,  and  all  the  fury  of  the  elo- 


m 


oHiiu'ii,  ill  a 
'iif'88,  never 
bit  and  au- 
torpieces,  in 
[n  the  must 
)t  concealed 
of  vigilance 
.  As,  week 
and  the  age 
from  ft  gal- 
men  of  that 
of  universal 
md  stronger 
1C80  letters? 
idea  of  the 
a  few  speci- 
t  unknown" 
■tide  on  the 
thus  charac- 
pigi'aiumatic 
nvective  un- 
vidently  ac- 
th  the  city; 
et  characters 
ublic  offices ; 
en,  as  since, 
ngs,  through 
ir  superiors. 
.  a  boldness, 
ired  no  one, 
ject  of  terror 
vn  language, 
•y  of  the  ele- 


ments hursts  upon  tli« m  at  once.'"  At  Hrst  the  gonornl 
su8pi(;i(in  was  fixed  U{uin  Hurke,  who  alone  was  thought 
capal)le  of  such  wonderful  compoMitions,  hut  ho  publicly 
denied  being  their  author,  and  in  a  speech  in  the  House 
of  Commons,  expressed  his  opinion  of  him,  "in  rancor 
and  venom,  the  North  Uriton  is  as  much  inferior  to  him, 
as  in  strength,  wit,  and  judgment.  King,  Lords,  and 
Commons  are  but  the  sport  of  his  fury." 

Besides  Burke,  conjecture  fell  at  different  times,  upon 
a  gi'cat  variety  of  persons,  among  them  the  Grenvilles, 
Wilkes,  Dunning,  Charles  Lloyd,  John  Ilorne  Tooko, 
Charles  Leo,  Sir  Philip  Francis,  Hugh  Macauley  Boyd, 
Gibbon,  Grattan,  Sir  William  Jones,  Horace  Walpole, 
Lords  Sackville,  Camden,  Chatham  and  Chestertield. 

Among  the  great  minds  engaged  in  discussing  this 
question,  and  seeking  to  solve  the  problem,  were  Burke, 
Lord  Eldon,  the  celebrated  Dr.  Samuel  Parr,  Sir  William 
Draper,  Butler  the  learned  English  lawyer,  and  a  host  of 
others.  Any  number  of  books  were  published  in  Eng- 
land and  in  America  on  the  subject,  and  all  the  literary 
and  political  journals  lent  their  column?,  to  elaborate  arti- 
cles pressing  theories,  based  upon  prying  research  and 
industrious  investigations.  But  all  attempts  to  penetrate 
the  veil,  and  disperse  the  shadow  the  writer  had  thrown 
over  his  name,  failed  ;  but  still  the  search  continued  with 
unabated  earnestness. 

It  is  indeed  marvellous  that  a  Salem  retail  shop-keeper, 
without  any  known  aid,  but  from  local  libraries  and  the 
society  of  persons  here  eminently  conversant  with  the 
materials  that  could  shed  light  upon  such  a  subject,  was 
enabled  to  enter  into  this  crowd  of  great  contestants  for 
the  discovery  of  the  world-engrossing  secret,  and  bear  off 
the  palm  of  victory  in  such  a  race.     But  this,  in  the 


I 


-tmmSSSxSr:^: 


!ikiMi^it^dmmiiiimimiii>>&'sMi!JSfJ>jtS9Ss.': 


,    V 


38 


judgment  of  many  most  competent  to  give  an  opinion, 
Isaac  Newhall  did.     Tiie  writer  of  the  article  in  the  En- 
cyclopadia  just  quoted,  sums  up  a  review  of  t'le  whole 
"•round  by  citing  the  "ingenious"  vohime,  as  lie  pronoun- 
ces it,  published  by  Mr.  Newhall,  entitled  "Letters  on 
Junius,"   in  which  the   opinion   is   maintained  that  the 
famous  documents  were  from  the  pen  of  Lord  Temple, 
brother  of  George  Grenvillc ;  and  upon  critically  exam- 
ining the  evidence  presented  by  Mr.  Newhall,  decilares 
his  hypothesis  "probable,"  saying  in  conclusion — "if  it 
is  not  the  true  one,  it  is  certainly  embarrassed  with  fewer 
difficulties,  than  any  which  have  come  to  our  knowledge." 
The  influence  of    the   examples   I  have   enumerated, 
heightening  the  preexisting  tendency  of  the  general  in- 
tellect and  of  the  then  counnercial  character  of  the  place, 
which  diflTused  through  the  whole  body  of  the  people 
knowledge  derived  from  conversance  with  all  nations  in 
all  parts  of  the  globe,  reached  the  inmost  recesses  of 
society,  and  was  felt  in  every  condition  of  life.     The  in- 
spiration was  caught  by  the  young,  and  a  bias  towards 
intellectual  occupations,  and  a  taste  for  the  pleasures  of 
literature  and  science,  early  imparted  to  many  minds. 
In  the  opening  decades  of  this  century,  the  eye  of  a 
prophet  would  have  detected,  in  primary  and  preparatory 
schools,   and  among   the   boys   at   play   in   our   streets, 
names  now  enrolled  in  the  very  foremost  rank,  in  the 
various  fields  of  letters  and  science.    In  history — William 
Hickling  Prescott;   the  higher  mathematics — Benjamin 
Peirce;   elegant  literature  in  its  most  attractive  depart- 
ments— Nathaniel  Hawthorne;   botany  and  its  kindred 
branches — John  Lewis  Russell;    magnetism,  electricity 
and  chemistry — Charles  Grafton  Page;    and  podtry  in 
one  of  its  purest  forms — Jones  Very. 


■-aMtM!flUWiilii(a.iittetb»BWt  tr  •— 


'ive  an  opinion, 
tide  in  the  Kn- 
ew of  t'le  whole 
!,  as  he  pronoun- 
led  "Letters  on 
itained  that  the 
>f  Lord  Temple, 
critically  exani- 
fewhall,  dec'laros 
nclusion — "if  it 
assed  with  fewer 
our  knowledge." 
ave  enumerated, 
f  the  general  in- 
jter  of  the  place, 
y  of  the  people 
th  all  nations  in 
most  recesses  of 
of  life.  The  iii- 
i  a  bias  towards 
the  pleasures  of 
to  many  minds. 
•y,  the  eye  of  a 
•  and  preparatory 

in  our  streets, 
lost  rank,  in  the 
listory — William 
latics — Benjamin 
attractive  depart- 

aud  its  kindred 
etism,  electricity 
;    and  poetry  in 


'Ss^i^)i:.r>%i,i^xM>.samjt'iUwimam  tbw" 


The  sketch  now  given,  has  been  confined  to  Salem, 
The  theme  is  equally  fruitful,  if  the  field  of  view  is 
extended  over  the  whole  surface  of  this  part  of  the  com- 
monwealth. I  leave  to  others  more  competent  to  do  it 
justice,  the  grateful  task  of  enumerating  the  strong 
minds  and  characters,  adorning  the  early  annals  of  Ips- 
wich in  its  original  dimensions  when  the  great  court 
town,  Andover,  Haverhill,  the  other  towns  on  the  Mer- 
rimack, especially  Newburyport  in  every  stage  of  its 
history,  Lynn,  Marblehead,  and  all  over  the  county.  It 
can  thus  be  shown  that  the  elements  of  intellectual  culture 
were  sown  broadcast  throughout  the  region,  and  that 
■  such  characters  as  have  now  been  enumerated,  and  as  we 
are  preparing  particularly  to  consider,  are  the  sponta- 
neous product  of  our  soil. 

The  "Essex  County  Natural  History  Society"  was  in- 
corporated in  1836.  A  young  man,  a  native  of  our  city, 
engaged  in  business  here  as  a  bookseller,  Benjamin  Hale 
Ives,  inspired  with  enthusiasm  as  a  naturalist,  awakened 
especial  attention  to  the  subject  by  articles  in  the  news- 
papers from  his  pen,  continued  from  time  to  time  until 
the  movement  was  effectually  started.  His  early  death,  in 
1837,  was  a  great  loss  to  science,  and  to  the  community 
in  all  its  interests.  The  first  President  of  the  Society 
was  Andrew  Nichols,  M.  D.,  of  Danvers,  now  Peabody. 
He  was  born  in  1785  and  died  in  1853.  Learned  in  his 
profession,  and  honored  for  his  worth  in  all  respects,  hcf 
had  tastes  and  faculties  that  found  their  gratification  in 
philosophic  pursuits — a  dear  lover  of  nature — of  an 
imaginative  and  poetic  temperament, — flowers  and  trees 
and  the  fields  and  forests  they  adorn,  were  to  him,  as  he 
wandered  among  them,  things  not  only  of  beauty,  but  of 
life.     No  one  ever  explored  them  with  more  delight  or 


*WESSS^^c^lS>^":3S?5w*.iai!3s«<il  ■; 


40 

studied  them  more  thoroughly.  In  1816,  Dr.  Nichols 
gave  a  course  of  Botanical  Lectures  in  Salem,  and  al- 
ways delighted  to  communicate  information,  and  awaken 
interest  in  that  department  of  knowledge.  Zoology  was 
also  one  of  his  favorite  subjects  of  observation  and  re- 
search. He  was  naturally  the  chosen  leader  of  those 
engaged  in  these  fascinating  departments  of  science. 

The  "Essex  County  Historical  Society"  and  the  "Essex 
County  Natural  History  Society"  were  consolidated,  un- 
der the  name  of  the  "Essex  Institute,"  in  1848.  Judge 
Daniel  A.  White  was  the  first  President. 

The  Essex  Institute  is  the  mature  growth  of  the  seed 
planted  here  more  than  a  century  ago,  on  ground  ready 
to  receive  it,  which  came  into  full  flower,  in  the  cluster  of 
great  minds  adorning  this  community  half  a  century 
since,  and  whose  ripened  fruit  will  perennially  and  for- 
ever, we  trust,  be  gathered  by  all  who  reach  forth  their 
hands  to  pluck  it.  Under  the  care  and  guidance  of 
devoted  scholars  and  students,  whose  labors  and  lives 
have  been  given  to  it,  the  Institute  has  become  what  it  is. 
Their  services  are  appreciated  and  honored  here  and  else- 
where. While  they,  and  he,  so  long  their  Secret:  ry  and 
now  their  President,  around  whom  they  are  encircled, 
who  toils  for  it  by  day  and  watches  over  it  by  night, 
whose  learning,  science,  resources  and  affections  are  all 
merged  in  it,  are  here  to  listen,  I  must  not  name  them. 
The  eulogist  and  historian,  at  a  future— may  it  be  a  long 
distant — day  will  have  their  memories  in  charge,  and 
then  express  the  gratitude  we  now  can  only  feel. 

By  the  published  volumes  of  its  "Historical  Collec- 
tions" and  "Proceedings,"  and  the  "American  Naturalist" ; 
its  field  meetings,  and  meetings  for  discussions,  written 
and  oral,  of  matters  of  science,  history  and  literature ; 


Bj^eSi^^S'%fc^sr»r.^?^'s^'" 


■:^7-iA^i-i;^&.^s^irT^'tM^imsm.  '#" 


Dr.  Nichols 
era,  and  al- 
and awaken 
Zoology  was 
tion  and  re- 
ier  of  those 
science, 
i  the  "Essex 
olidated,  un- 
848.     Judge 

li  of  the  seed 
[round  ready 
the  cluster  of 
f  a  century 
illy  and  for- 
h  forth  their 

guidance  of 
rs  and  lives 
ne  what  it  is. 
ere  and  else- 
lecretiry  and 
,re  encircled, 

it  b}  night, 
jtions  are  all 
t  name  them, 
r  it  be  a  long 

charge,  and 
'eel. 

)rical  Collec- 
i  Naturalist"; 
lions,  written 
id  literature ; 


its  horticultural  and  other  exhibitions ;  ita  already  exten- 
sive library  of  books,  pamphlets  and  manuscripts,  and  its 
invalual^le  museum,  the  Institute  has  made  an  achieve- 
ment, beginning  to  be  universally  recognized.  In  no 
locality,  in  the  country,  has  so  much  been  accomplished 
in  exhuming  and  working  the  treasures  of  municipal, 
civil,  and  personal  history,  and  in  bringing  to  light  antiq- 
uities and  natural  productions,  as  in  this  county.  For 
all  this  we  are  mainly  indebted  to  the  Essex  Institute. 
No  writer  can  trace  the  origin  and  history  of  any  of 
our  towns,  or  portray  a  passage  of  our  annals,  without 
depending  upon  resources  it  has  provided,  while  its  explo- 
rations are  covering  every  department  of  natural  objects 
and  phenomena. 

I  have  endeavored  to  explain  how  the  institution  and 
influence  of  an  association,  so  efficient  in  its  action, 
and  already  attracting  so  wide  a  notice,  can  be  accounted 
for,  as  having  been  established  and  wrought  to  such  vigor 
in  this  comparatively  small  and  suburban  city.  The  per- 
sonal memoir,  I  am  now  prepared  to  present,  will  exhibit, 
in  a  particular  instance,  a  striking  result  of  the  same 
operative  causes. 

Lieutenant  Francis  Peabody  emigrated  to  this  country, 
at  about  twenty-one  years  of  age,  from  St.  Albans,  Hert- 
fordshire, England,  in  1635.  He  is  stated  to  have  first 
settled  in  Ipswich,  which  then  included,  indefinitely,  the 
territory  outside  of  the  present  limits  of  that  town  to  and 
beyond  the  Merrimack  river.  His  name  is  found,  as  of 
the  grand  jury,  and  on  trial  juries,  from  Hampton.  As 
that  place  was  finally  decided  to  be  within  the  limits  of 
New  Hampshire,  and  as  he  also  desired  to  be  "nearer 
Boston,"  he  sold  his  estate  in  Hampton  in  1650,  and 
bought  land  in  what  is  now  Topsfield,  on  its  southern 
6 


S;?335SES3^^S^T^^ 


— **s5a^;sssr"':«P5?'^.5^ 


y 


42 


line,  near  Governor  Eudicott's  Ipswich  River  fai-m,  where 
he  spent  the  remainder  of  his  days.  By  his  wife  Mary, 
daughter  of  Reginald  Foster,  he  had  fourteen  children, 
and  died  in  February,  1698,  at  the  age  of  eighty- 
four. 

His  fourth  son,  Isaac,  was  born  in  1648.  The  home- 
stead was  assigned  to  him.     He  died  in  1726. 

His  eldest  son,  Francis,  was  born,  December  1st,  1694, 
bore  the  military  title  of  Cornet,  and  lived  in  Middle- 
ton,  where  he  died  April  23d,  1769. 

His  eldest  son  Francis,  born  September  21st,  1715, 
was  Deacon  of  the  church  in  Middleton,  and  died  there, 
December  7th,  1797. 

His  sixth  son,  Joseph,  was  born  December  12th,  1757, 
and  died  January  5th,  1844.     He  was  one  of  the  most 
eminent  merchants  of  his  day,  carrying  on  a  conunerce 
that  encircled  the  globe,  and  making  this  port  the  point 
of  arrival  and  departure  of  his  richly  laden  fleet.     His 
eldest  son,  Joseph  Augustus,  born  in  1796,  was  gradu- 
ated at  Hai-vard  College  in  1816,  but  commerce  was  the 
profession  of  his  choice.     His  position  -aade  him  familiar 
with  the  business,  and  he  had  the  qualities  enabling  him 
to  t<XM  the  place  of  his  father.     The  prospects  of  this 
town,  as  connected  with  foreign  trade  and  its  maritime 
welfare,  were  considered  by  the  people  as  identified  with 
him.     His  y)ure  and  amiable  character  was  recognized 
and  appreciated  by  all ;  and  deep  was  the  sense  of  a  great 
public  misfortune,  when  he  was  taken  away,  in  1828. 
The  day  of  his  funeral,  as  I  well  remember,  Avas  one 
of  general  mourning.     The  second  son  of  Joseph  Pea- 
body,  Charles,  born  December  8th,  1797,  was  drowned 
August   10th,    1805.     The  third  named   Francis,   born 
July   14th,   1799,   died  in  infancy.     The    fourth,   also 


farai,  where 

i  wife  Mary, 

len  children, 

of    eighty- 

The  home- 
). 

er  Ist,  1694, 
i  in  Middle- 

21st,   1715, 
I  died  there, 

r 12th,  1757, 
of  the  most 
a  commerce 
port  the  point 
u  fleet.     His 
,  was  gradii- 
lerce  was  the 
!  him  familiar 
enabling  him 
ipects  of  this 
its  maritime 
ientified  with 
18  recognized 
use  of  a  great 
ray,  in  1828. 
iber,  Avas  one 
Joseph  Pea- 
was  drowned 
Francis,   born 
fourth,    also 


43     ' 

named  Francis,  was  born  December  7th,  1801,  and  is  the 
subject  of  the  present  memoir ;  ho  was  of  the  fifth  de- 
scent from  the  founder  of  the  family  in  America,  and 
bore  his  name.  His  mother  was  Elizabeth,  daughter  of 
the  Rev.  Elias  Smith  of  Middleton. 

At  ten  years  of  age  he  was  placed  in  Dummer  Acad- 
emy, at  Byfield,  under  the  care  of  the  Rev.  Abiel  Abbott, 
D.  I).,  a  graduate  of  Harvard  College  in  the  class  of 
1787,  originally  pastor  of  a  church  in  Coventry,  Con- 
necticut, subsequently  at  Peterboro',  N.  H.,  and  whose 
last  years  were  passed  at  West  Cambridge,  where  he  died 
in  1859,  at  the  age  of  ninety-four — one  of  the  best  of 
scholars  and  of  men,  loved  and  revered  by  his  pupils, 
and  honored  by  all  in  the  varied  scenes  of  his  active  ser- 
vice. At  about  twelve  years  of  age,  young  Peabody 
was  removed  to  Brighton,  where  he  passed  about  four 
years  in  a  select  private  school,  kept  by  Jacob  Newman 
Knapp,  of  the  Harvard  class  of  1802  ;  a  man  of  eminent 
reputation  as  a  scholar  and  instructor,  and  especially 
remembered,  as  such,  by  our  elderly  people.  He  opened 
a  school  here  more  than  sixty-five  years  ago,  Jan.  1, 
1803,  which  continued  until  1811.  Through  his  long 
protracted  life,  there  has  been  no  failure  of  vigor  or 
activity,  his  physical  and  mental  powers  remaining  wholly 
unimpaired.* 

Through  his  school  days,  and  indeed  from  early  child- 
hood, Francis  Peabody  gave  indications  of  the  tendency 
of  mind  that  so  strikingly  marked  his  maturer  years.  He 
was  ever  exercising  his  constructive  faculties,  making 
miniature  machines,  trying  experiments  upon  the  ob- 
jects and  forces  of  nature  within  his  reach,  and  occupy- 

*  Mr.  Knapp  died  July  27th,  1868,  at  Walpole,  N.  H.,  aged  ninety- 
four  years  and  eight  months. 


44 


ing  all  the  hours,  when  free  from  regular  and  appointed 
tasks,  in  contrivances,  manipulations,  and  drawings. 

His  regular  academic  education   terminated   with   his 
residence  at  Brighton,  and  he  returned  to  his  home  in 
Salem.     The  prevalent  direction  of  his  thoughts,  as  just 
indicated,   disinclined  him  to  the  general  exercises  of 
collegiate  establishments.     Their  purpose  is  to  take  the 
mind  before  it  has  received  a  controlling  bias  to  any 
particular  branch  of  knowledge,  and  lead  it  through  the 
whole   circle ;   make   it  try  all,  survey  the  entire  field, 
and  then  select  for  its  life-pursuit  what  it  thus  finds  in 
most  affinity  with  its  own  special  tastes  and  faculties. 
He  had  found,  by  tendencies  that  could  not  be  oven'uled, 
and  convictions  that  could  not  be  called  into  question, 
even  in  his  earliest  boyhood,  in  what  path  his  mind  was 
designed  to  travel,  and  he   entered  upon  it,  at  once. 
More  than  this,  his  extraordinary  activity  and  mobility  of 
temperament,  made  the  thought  of  the  slow  routine  and 
measured  pace  of  collegiate  life  quite  repulsive ;  and  it 
was  wisely  concluded  not  to  enforce  upon  him  the  com- 
pletion of  his  education,  by  residence  in  the  ordinary 
way,  and  for  the  usual  time,  at  the  university.     He  was 
allowed,   and  enabled,   to  gratify  his    predilection   for 
scientific  and  mechanical  operations  at  home  ;  and  entered 
at  once,  in  his  own  way,  upon  chemical  processes,  and  the 
ingenious  use  of  machinery  and  methods  of  operation ; 
which,  however,  before  long,  were  interrupted  by  a  vio- 
lent sickness  in  the  form  of  typhus  fever,  that,  for  some 
time,  threatened  his  life,  and  from  which  he  slowly  recov- 
ered. 

For  the  purpose  of  fully  reestablishing  his  health,  a 
sea  voyage  was  deemed  expedient,  and  he  made  his  first 
trip  across  the  Atlantic.     Early  in  the  summer  of  1820, 


40 


d  appointed 
iwings. 
;d  with  his 
us  home  in 
»hts,  as  just 
exercises  of 
to  take  the 
bias  to  any 
through  the 
entire  field, 
hus  finds  in 
nd  faculties, 
e  oven'uled, 
ito  question, 
is  mind  was 
it,  at  once. 
1  mobility  of 

routine  and 
sive ;  and  it 
im  the  com- 
tlie  ordinary 
ty.  He  was 
iilection   for 

and  entered 
isses,  and  the 
f  operation ; 
ed  by  a  vio- 
bat,  for  some 
slowly  recov- 

bis  health,  a 
lade  his  first 
mer  of  1820, 


when  eighteen  years  of  age,  he  took  passage  in  one  of  his 
fatlier's  ships,  the  Augustus,  to  Bussia.  She  was  com- 
manded by  John  Endicott  Giddings  of  Beverly;  Jona- 
than Flint  was  first  mate,  Oliver  Thayer,  second  mate, 
and  Samuel  Endicott,  Jr.,  supercargo.  The  crew,  as 
was  then  almost  always  the  case,  was  com])osed  of  young 
men  belonging  to  the  place  and  neighborhood.  Of 
course  all  care  was  taken  to  provide  everything  that 
would  be  agreeable  or  beneficial  to  a  young  person  not 
yet  entirely  relieved  of  the  character  of  an  invalid. 
Among  other  things  a  goat  was  placed  on  board  for  his 
special  comfort  and  nourishment.  The  vessel,  as  usual, 
made  the  northern  passage,  touching  at  a  solitary  rocky 
islet,  about  half-way  between  the  Orkney  and  Shetland 
groups.  The  nearest  land  is  Samburg  Ness,  the  southern 
extremity  of  the  Shetlands,  from  which  point  its  lofty 
crags  are  visible.  From  the  island  itself  nothing  is  in 
sight,  all  around,  but  the  dreary  desert  ocean.  For  what 
reason  I  know  not,  nor  can  imagine,  the  place  is  called 
Fair  Island,  and,  as  such,  is  put  done  on  the  maps.  It  is 
four  miles  in  length,  and  two  and  a  half  in  breadth ;  and 
has  but  one  harbor.  Its  inhabitants  are  excluded  from 
all  cognizance  of  the  rest  of  the  world,  except  when,  as 
in  this  case,  a  passing  vessel  comes  to,  in  their  port. 
This  small  desolate  spot,  alone  and  a-far-ofi*,  in  so  high  a 
latitude,  in  the  midst  of  a  comparatively  unfrequented 
sea,  whose  wild  storms  almost  throw  their  spray  over 
the  whole  island  from  shore  to  shore,  has,  of  course, 
but  a  small  population,  necessarily  destitute  of  many 
of  the  comforts  of  life.  "Whenever  the  rare  oppor- 
tunity occiu*s,  they  gather  upon  the  deck  of  the  transient 
visitor,  and  seek  to  get  what  they  can ;  and  as  they 
have   nothing  to  give  in  exchange,  have  naturally  be- 


tmm 


46 


come  inveterate  beggars.  The  young  passenger,  com- 
miserating their  destitute  condition,  and  moved  by  their 
forlorn  entreaties,  parted  with  whatever  he  could  possibly 
spare  of  his  stores  and  wardrobe ;  and  to  one  old  man 
who  told  a  pitiful  tale  of  the  infirmities  of  his  sick, 
famishing,  and  aged  wife,  he  relinquished  his  goat.  This 
circumstance,  for  which  I  am  indebted  to  our  esteemed 
fellow  citizen.  Captain  Oliver  Thayer,  is  mentioned  be- 
cause it  illustrates  a  trait  of  character,  that  may  be  fit- 
tingly noticed  in  this  connection,  which  Francis  Peabody 
exhibited  through  life.  A  more  kind  and  obliging  dispo- 
sition never  existed,  as  all,  who  have  had  occasion  to  be 
its  objects,  gratefully  remember. 

When  the  vessel  was  lying  at  Cronstadt,  Mr.  Peabody, 
accompanied  by  a  son  of  the  American  Minister  at 
St.  Petersburg,  made  an  extensive  tour  into  the  interior 
of  Russia,  visiting  Moscow  and  other  chief  points  of 
interest. 

Coming  home,  on  her  return  trip,  in  the  same  vessel, 
he  devoted  himself,  with  renewed  health  and  zeal,  to  his 
laboratory.  The  next  winter  he  attended  a  course  of 
scientific  lectures,  at  Boston,  passing  regularly  over  the 
Turnpike,  in  all  weathers.  The  next  he  spent,  for  the 
same  purpose,  in  Philadelphia,  frequenting  its  scientific 
rooms,  especially  that  of  Dr.  Hare,  with  whom  he  formed 
an  acquaintance  that  soon  assumed,  and  ever  after  re- 
tained, the  character  of  an  intimate  and  mutual  personal 
attachment. 

On  the  7th  of  July,  1823,  he  was  married  to  Martha 
Endicott,  of  the  seventh  descent  from  the  original  Gov- 
ernor of  the  Plantation.  Her  father,  Samuel  Endicott, 
was  born,  as  all  his  intermediate  ancestors  had  been,  on 
the  Orchard  Farm. 


jnger,  corn- 
ed by  their 
uld  possibly 
ine  old  man 
)f  his  sick, 
goat.  This 
ur  esteemed 
antioned  be- 
may  be  fit- 
cis  Peabody 
liging  dispo- 
casiou  to  be 

[r.  Peabody, 

Minister  at 

)  the  interior 

sf  points  of 

same  vessel, 
d  zeal,  to  his 
a  course  of 
irly  over  the 
Dent,  for  the 
its  scientific 
tm  he  formed 
ver  after  re- 
tual  personal 

)d  to  Martha 
)riginal  Gov- 
lel  Endicott, 
lod  been,  on 


47 

At  every  period  of  his  life,  while  muinly  occupied  in 
his  favorite  studies  and  pursuits,  he  was  led  by  the  extia- 
ordinary  activity  of  his  nature,  to  participate  with  his 
whole  soul,  in  whatever  was  going  on  around  him,  in 
social  movements  and  local  interests,  that  commended 
themselves  to  his  favorable  judgment.  About  this  time 
his  attention  was  given,  with  great  enthusiasm,  to  mili- 
tary matters,  inheriting  the  true  spirit  of  a  New  £ng- 
lander,  transmitted  through  his  ancestors,  who  had  borne 
titles  of  honor  in  rural  trainbands.  He  commanded  a 
battalion  of  Artillery,  and  was  soon  promoted  to  a 
Lieutenant-Colonelcy,  in  that  arm.  In  1825,  he  was 
transferred  to  the  Infantry,  as  Colonel  of  the  1st  Reg., 
Ist  Brig.,  2d  Div.,  Massachusetts  militia.  It  was  proba- 
bly much  owing  to  his  energy  and  zeal  in  the  service, 
that  the  famous  muster,  and  sham  fight,  well  remembered 
by  our  older  citizens,  took  place  near  Tapley's  Brook,  in 
what  was  then  Danvers,  on  the  6th  of  October,  1826,  in 
which  five  regiments  of  Infantry,  one  regiment  and  a 
battalion  of  artillery,  and  a  battalion  of  cavalry  took 
part.  Ten  light  companies  were  included  in  the  force 
brought  into  array  on  the  occasion.  The  broad  plains  on 
both  sides  of  the  old  road  to  Lynn,  at  that  point,  afforded 
favorable  ground  for  evolutions,  manceuvrings,  display, 
skirmishes,  and  battle.  It  was  the  last  great  affair  of  the 
kind,  under  the  old  militia  system,  when  the  whole  male 
population,  with  limited  exceptions,  within  the  military 
age,  was  enrolled  and  mustered.  There  was  an  entire 
regiment  from  Marblehead  and  another  from  Beverly. 
Of  the  scene  exhibited  that  day  I  can  speak,  for  I  bore 
part  in  it,  as  chaplain  of  Colonel  Peabody's  regiment. 
He  had  provided  me  with  sword,  belt,  sash,  and  the 
chapeau   bras   then   worn   by  commissioned,   especiah'y 


r5SSBi2SSKiss»^rai3SSiiKvt' 


■'.isamm 


mim 


iiiiMilllr- 


48 

field  and  staff,  officers,  and  sent  a  horse  to  my  door.  In 
company  with  Charles  Gideon  Putnam,  Assistant  Surgeon 
of  the  Regiment,  now  President  of  the  Massachusetts 
Medical  Society,  I  sought  a  position  on  a  neighboring 
height.  As  we  wore  non-combatants  and  our  services 
would  not  be  needed  until  casualties  occurred,  we  thought 
it  best  to  be  out  of  the  reach  of  stray  ramrods.  The 
whole  ground  was  spread  out  to  our  view,  and  under  a 
bright,  but  tempered  sun,  it  was  worth  beholding.  An 
uncounted  multitude  darkened  the  distant  acclivities  and 
the  level  area  all  around  outside  of  the  lines.  The  roar 
of  artillery,  the  incessant  rattling  of  infantry  fire,  the 
clouds  of  smoke,  the  dashing  onsets  of  trampling  cavalry, 
and  the  final  desperate  charge  by  bayonet  and  sabre  of 
the  contending  forces  simultaneously  along  the  whole 
line,  made  the  mimic  battle  complete. 

Having  exhausted  the  activities  of  a  military  life,  it 
had  no  charm  left  for  Francis  Peabody,  and  he  forthwith 
gave  himself  back  to  his  predominating  tastes,  and  to  the 
inexhaustible  satisfactions  they  afforded  him.  Yielding 
again,  and  now  once  for  all,  to  the  spirit  of  the  place,  he 
renewed  his  philosophical  and  inventive  operations,  and 
engaged  in  branches  of  business,  manufacturing  and  com- 
mercial, to  which  they  led  him;  remaining  always  on 
hand,  however,  to  bear  his  jmrt  in  movements  for  the 
general  welfare. 

I  shall  sketch  his  progress  somewhat  in  the  order  of 
time,  but  not  undertaking  to  enter  into  details;  that 
would  require  many  extended  scientific  treatises,  and 
explanations  and  illustrations  altogether  beyond  allowed 
limits  on  this  occasion. 

In  1826  he  was  mainly  occupied  in  experiments, 
studies,  and   calculations  connected   with  the  establish- 


y  door.  In 
ant  Surgeon 
[assiichusetts 
neighboring 
our  services 
,  we  thought 
arods.  The 
and  under  a 
olding.  An 
iclivities  and 
.  The  roar 
try  fire,  the 
ling  cavalry, 
ind  sabre  of 
;   the   whole 

itary  life,  it 
lie  forthwith 
9,  and  to  the 
1.  Yielding 
bhe  place,  he 
orations,  and 
ng  and  com- 
;  always  on 
ents  for  the 

the  order  of 
letails ;  that 
eatises,  and 
ond  allowed 

jxperiments, 
iie  establish- 


49  • 

ment  of  a  business  ho  long  carried  on,  upon  a  large 
scale,  which  has  passed  into  the  hands  and  is  now  con- 
ducted by  tlie  "Forest  River  Lead  Company." 

Colonel  Peabody  was  among  the  first  to  introduce  the 
system  of  miscellaneous  courses  of  public  lectures  on 
scientific  and  literary  subjects,  which  has  since  been 
developed  into  one  of  the  most  efficient  agents  in  advanc- 
ing the  intelligence  and  general  civilization  of  the  people 
of  this  country.  On  the  6th  of  November,  1827,  the 
Essex  Lodge  o.  Freemasons  in  Salem  voted  to  have  a 
series  of  literary  and  scientific  lectures,  which  commenced 
in  January,  1828,  and  continued  to  May.  Among  the 
lecturers  were  Thomas  Cole,  George  Choate,  Francis 
Peabody,  Jonathan  Webb,  Malthus  A.  Ward,  and  Ben- 
jamin F.  Browne. 

About  the  same  time  the  Salem  Charitable  Mechanic 
Association  appointed  a  committee  to  provide  lectures 
for  the  members  and  their  families.  On  the  24th  of 
January,  1828,  the  introductory  lecture  was  delivered  by 
Dr.  George  Choate,  who  was  followed  by  Caleb  Foote, 
N.  J.  Lord,  John  Codman,  J.  T.  Buckingham  of  Boston, 
and  others. 

During  the  same  season  Colonel  Peabody  gave  a  free 
course  of  public  lectures  in  Franklin  Hall,  on  the  history 
and  uses  of  the  Steam  Engine ;  and  the  next  season  he 
gave  a  similar  course,  in  cooperation  with  Jonathan 
Webb,  on  Electricity,  in  Concert  Hall.  The  display  of 
apparatus,  in  the  course  on  Electricity,  was  extensive  and 
complete.  The  exhibition  of  machinery  in  connection 
with  the  Steam  Engine,  provided  at  the  cost  of  Colonel 
Peabody,  was  finer  and  larger  probably  than  any  ever 
presented  in  this  country.  People  of  all  conditions  were 
attracted  to  the  halls,  and  great  interest  awakened  in 
7 


ft-# 


■•^SBSSWisKa&ssimiKXi^. 


r* 


such  subjects.  Young  men,  espociftlly  those  in  mechani- 
cal employments,  appreciated  the  opportunity,  and  all 
were  instructed.  Among  them,  it  may  bo  mentioned, 
was  Increase  Sumner  Hill,  who  is  now,  and  long  has 
been,  one  of  the  most  distinguished  mechanical  engineers 
in  America,  and  recognized  as  such  by  the  government  in 
the  commission  he  has  held  for  many  years,  as  "United 
States  Inspector  of  Steam  Engines  and  Boilers." 

These  numerous  lectures  awakened,  in  the  whole  com- 
munity, a  sense  of  the  value  of  knowledge  and  of  the 
importance  of  its  diffusion,  which,  the  very  next  year 
took  form  in  the  establishment  of  Lyceums— that  is, 
permanent  institutions,  for  the  diffusion  of  knowledge, 
by  miscellaneous  lectures— here  and  elsewhere  through 
the  country.  A  full  history  of  the  proceedings,  that  led 
to  this  result,  is  a  subject  that  deserves,  and  will  undoubt- 
edly receive,  a  distinct  treatment.  I  can  only  touch  a 
few  points,  such  as  particularly  belong  to,  or  are  sug- 
gested by,  my  subject. 

Near  the  close  of  the  year  1829,  a  notice  appeared  m 
the  newspapers  calling  a  general  meeting  to  be  held  at 
Topsfield,  for  the  purpose  of  establishing  a  County  Lyce- 
um.    What  the  precise  object  or  plan  of  those  concerned 
in  the  call  was,  could  not  be  gathered  from  ifs  terms.    It 
was  understood,  however,  that  it  was  designed  to  provide 
for  lectures  to  be  delivered  in  that,  or  some  other  central 
place,  upon  which  the  people  of  the  county  were  expected 
to  attend.     But  it  was  obvious  that  an  institution  of  the 
kind  could  hardly  be  made  to  operate  efficiently  over  so 
wide  an  area;   and  much  discussion  arose  touching  the 
proper  manner  of  bringing  the  process  of  lecturing  to 
bear  upon  the  people.     The  consequence  was  that  a  large 
concourse  of  gentlemen  of  influence  attended  the  meet- 


t-^ 


e  in  mechani- 
inity,  and  all 
)o  mentioned, 
and  long  has 
tical  engineers 
government  in 
PS,  as  "United 
lers." 

lie  whole  com- 
ge  and  of  the 
ery  next  year 
ums — that  is, 
of  knowledge, 
where  through 
sdings,  that  led 
d  will  undoubt- 
1  only  touch  a 
»,  or  are  sug- 

ce  appeared  in 
^  to  be  held  at 
a  County  Lyce- 
those  concerned 
m  if 9  terms.    It 
gned  to  provide 
ae  other  central 
y  were  expected 
istitutiou  of  the 
iciently  over  so 
se  touching  the 
of  lecturing  to 
was  that  a  large 
mded  the  meet- 


ing, which  was  held  in  the  A«  ademy  Hall,  at  Topsfield, 
on  Wednesday,  the  30th  of  December,  1829.     I  do  not 
rcinombor  ever  to  have  witnessed  a  more  interesting  and 
enlightened  assembly.     Very  animated,  earnest  and  pro- 
tracted debates  took  place,  and  it  was  finally  decided  by 
a  full,  but  close  vote,  that  a  County  Lyceum,  if  formed 
at  all,  ought  to  consist  of   delegates  chosen  in   local 
Lyceums    to  be  previously  established  in   the  several 
towns  and  villages.    A  committee  was  raised  to  prepare  a 
circular,  u  duty  assigned  to  me,  to  be  distributed  widely 
throughout  the  county,  ft  tting  forth  the  advantages  that 
would  arise  from  the  organization  of  such  institutions,  at 
all  points  where  an  adequate  population  existed ;  and  a 
day  was  fixed  for  delegates,  appointed  as  aforesaid,  to 
meet  and  form  a  County  Lyceum.    Among  those  acting 
a  prominent  part,   at  the  meeting  in  Topsfield,  were 
Bobert  Rantoul,  Sr.  of  Beverly,  Rev.  Gardner  B.  Perry 
of   Bradford,  Rev.   Leonard  Withington  of  Newbury, 
Rev.  Henry  C.  "Wright  of  West  Newbury,  Dr.  Jeremiah 
Spofford  of  East  Bradford,  now  Groveland,  Isaac  I'. 
How  of  Haverhill,  Rev.  Charles  C.  Sewall  of.  Danveri, 
and  Ichabod  Tucker,  the  Rev.  James  Flint,  D.  D.,  David, 
Cummins,  Elisha  Mack,  George  Choate,  George  Wheat- 
land, Francis  Peabody,  David  Roberts,  and  Robert  Ran- 
toul, Jr.,  of  Salem.     A  Lyceum  had  previously  been 
established    in  Beverly.    The  gentlemen  who  had  at- 
tended the  meeting  from  other  places,  on  returning  to 
their  respective  towns,  immediately  applied  themselves 
to  carry  out  its  resolves,  and  the  result  was  the  formation 
of  such  institutions,  in  every  large  town,  and  populous 
neighborhood  in  the  county. 

Such  an  entire  change  has  come  over  the  spirit  of 
society,  since  these  institutions  have  been  put  into  opera- 


KHimamm^immi.'i 


•'jm'MiimwMimmiiaMUMitvM.'imm'm 


>i- 


■88 

tion,  owing,  I  doubt  not,  very  much  to  their  influence, 
that  it  is  impossible  for  the  present  generation  to  estimate 
or  account  for  the  excitement  attending,  or  the  resistance 
made  to  their  introduction.  Great  activity  and  energy 
were  required  to  bring  the  public  mind  to  appreciate  the 
movement.  In  this  place  the  end  was  accomplished  by 
the  earnest  enthusiasm  of  particular  persons,  among  the 
most  zealous  of  whom  was  the  subject  of  this  memoir. 
The  comparatively  early  death  of  Robert  Rantoul,  Jr., 
authorizes  me  specially  to  refer  to  him  with  the  gratitude 
due  to  his  services  on  this  occasion.  He  gave  to  the 
cause  the  whole  force  of  those  faculties  which  subse- 
quently commanded  eminent  distinction,  among  the  pub- 
lic men  of  the  commonwealth  and  country,  not  only  as 
a  politician  and  legislator,  but  in  the  higher  fields  of  phil- 
anthrophy  and  education. 

On  Monday  evening,  January  4th,  1830,  a  meeting 
was  held  at  the  house  of  Colonel  Peabody,  at  which  the 
following  persons,  of  this  place,  were  present:  Daniel 

A.  White,  Ichabod  Tucker,  A.  L.  Peirson,  Malthus  A. 
Ward,  Elisha  Mack,  David  Roberts,  N.  J.  Lord,  S.  P. 
Webb,  R.  Rantoul,  Jr.,  Eben  Shillaber,  G.  Wheatland, 

B.  Tucker,  Warwick  Palfray,  John  Walsh,  Benjamin 
Crowninshield,  Stephen  C.  Phillips,  Jonathan  Webb,  W. 
P.  Endicott  and  Caleb  Foote.  After  full  and  free  con- 
sultation, it  was  voted,  on  motion  of  Dr.  Peirson,  "  that  it 
is  expedient  to  establish  an  institution  in  Salem,  for  the 
purpose  of  mutual  instruction  and  rational  entertainment, 
by  means  of  lectures,  debates,"  &c.  On  the  11th  of 
January,  a  public  meeting  was  held  in  the  Town  Hall  to 
promote  the  same  object ;  and  on  the  18th,  at  a  meeting 
in  Pickering  Hall,  the  Lyceum  was  formed,  uud  a  Presi- 
dent, Vice  President,  Recording  Secretary,  Correspond- 


)  their  influence, 

ration  to  estimate 

or  the  resistance 

ivity  and  energy 

to  appreciate  the 

accomplished  by 

>rsons,  among  the 

;  of  this  memoir. 

ert  Rantoul,  Jr., 

(rith  the  gratitude 

He  gave  to  the 

ies  which  subse- 

i,  among  the  pub- 

ntry,  not  only  as 

;her  fields  of  phil- 

1830,  a  meeting 
lody,  at  which  the 

present :  Daniel 
rson,  Malthus  A. 
!^.  J.  Lord,  S.  P. 
r,  G.  Wheatland, 
Walsh,  Benjamin 
aathan  Webb,  W. 
full  and  free  con- 
.  Peirson,  "  that  it 
L  in  Salem,  for  the 
tial  entertainment, 

On  the  11th  of 
the  Town  Hall  to 
18th,  at  a  meeting 
ned,  und  a  Presi- 
tary,  Correspond- 


63 

ing  Secretary,  and  Treasurer,  were  chosen.  At  an 
adjourned  meeting,  at  the  same  place,  on  the  20th,  a 
Board  of  Directors  was  elected.  These  meetinsrs  were 
numerously  attended,  great  interest  was  manifested,  and 
the  elections,  by  ballot,  were  accompanied  by  a  lively  con- 
test between  the  supporters  of  different  tickets.* 

Great  difficulty  was  experienced  in  procuring  a  suitable 
place  for  the  public  meetings  of  the  society,  and  the 
delivery  of  the  lectures.  Attempts  were  first  made  to 
obtain  permission  to  use  the  Town  Hall.  Two  or  three 
regularly  warned,  and  quite  fully  attended  town  meetings, 
were  held  on  the  subject,  and  much  discussion  had,  but 
the  application  failed.  The  first  lecture,  by  the  Presi- 
dent, Judge  White,  a  very  able  perfonnance,  the  publi- 
cation of  which  was  immediately  c".lled  for,  was  delivered 
in  the  Methodist  Church,  in  Sewall  street.  A  gentleman 
from  Andover,  Samuel  Merrill,  Esq.,  who  came  all  the 
way  to  hear  it,  expressed  the  universal  sentiment  of  those 
who  listened  to,  or  have  read  it,  in  a  well  turned  and 
indefinitely  self-multiplying  compliment,  when  he  thanked 
the  Judge  at  its  close,  and  said  in  the  fulness  of  his 
cordial  admiration,  that  he  could  not  tell  which  had  ex- 
ceeded, his  expectations,  or  the  realization. 

The  society  at  once  became  so  large  that  it  was  neces- 
sary to  find  some  other  place  of  meeting,  and  the  sub- 
sequent lectures  of  the  course  were  delivered  in  the 
Universalist  chur^^h.    During  the  next  summer  a  site  was 

♦The  officers  elected,  at  the  meetings  of  January  18th  and  20th, 
were  as  follows :  — President,  Daniel  A.  White;  Vice  President, 
Stephen  C.  Phillips ;  Recording  Secretary,  Stephen  P.  Webb ;  Corres- 
ponding Secretary,  Charles  W.  Upham ;  Treasurer,  Francis  Peabody. 

Directors:  — Leverett  Saltonstall,  George  Choate,  William  Wil- 
liams, Ruftis  Babcock,  Malthus  A.  Ward,  Abel  L.  Peirson,  Jonathan 
Webb,  Rufus  Choate,  Caleb  Foote,  John  Moriarty. 


iiiiiiik 


54 

purchased    and  the  Lyceum  Building  erected.    Judge 
White  advanced  the  requisite  funds  and  Colonel  Peabody 
was  chairman  of  the  building  committee.    In  many  re- 
spects the  structure  was  an  improvement  upon  any  before, 
or  elsewhere,  erected  for  such  purposes,  and  maintains 
its  reputation  and  usefulness  to  this  day.    The  limited 
dimensions  of  the  site  made  it  too  small  to  accommodate 
the  whole  body  of  members,  who  had  to  be  divided  into 
two  classes ;  and  the  lecture,  each  week,  was  repeated  on 
the  succeeding  evening.    For  several  years  no  compensa- 
tion was  asked  by  the  lecturers,  and  the  proceeds  of  the 
sale  of  tickets  soon  cleared  the  property.     No  imder- 
taking  of  the  kind,  or  of  any  kind  of  associated  enter- 
prise, in  this  place,  has  been  more  successful,  and  the 
value  of  the   services  of  the   first  President,  Daniel  A 
White,  first  Vice  President,  Stephen  C.  Phillips,   and 
first  Treasurer,  Francis  Peabody,  cannot  be  overstated. 
There  had  been  a  few  similar  institutions  elsewhere 
before.    That  in  Beverly  has  been  mentioned.    Bernard 
Whitman,  whose  memory  is  deir  to  all  who  knew  him, 
and  must  be  cherished  forever  by  the  friends  of  truth  and 
progress,  had,  in  1826,  established  what  he  called  a  Rum- 
ford  Institute,  in  Waltham,  and  there  were  one  or  two 
others,  in  portions  of  Worcester  and  Middlesex  counties. 
But  it  may  safely  be  said  that  the  proceedings  at  Tops- 
field  and  here,  originated  the  institution  as  a  difiusive 
energy  over  the  country  at  large.    The  very  next  winter 
there  was  a  legislative  public  meeting  in  the  hall  of  the 
House  of  Representatives,  in  the  State  House,  at  which 
the  Governor,  Levi  Lincoln,  presided,  for  the  express 
purpose  of  promoting  the  formation  of  Lyceums  through- 
out the  State,  in  its  several  cities,  towns  and  villages. 
They  have  now  been  in  operation,  all  over  the  country, 


ted.    Judge 
nel  Peabody 
[n  many  re- 
1  any  before, 
id  maintains 
The  limited 
iccommodate 
divided  into 
I  repeated  on 
10  compensa- 
)ceeds  of  the 
No  imder- 
ciated  enter- 
)ful,  and  the 
it,  Daniel  A 
Phillips,   and 
e  overstated, 
ns  elsewhere 
ed.    Bernard 

0  knew  him, 

1  of  truth  and 
called  a  Rum- 
B  one  or  two 
9sex  counties, 
lings  at  Tops- 
as  a  diffusive 
J  next  winter 
he  hall  of  the 
use,  at  which 
r  the  express 
jums  through- 

and  villages. 
•  the  country. 


■,&sm^mm»>fmmmm  w^ 


V.:.,;.-,..    M 

for  well  nigh  forty  years ;  and  it  is  for  the  philosophical 
historian,  to  consider  and  estimate  their  bearings  upon 
the  intellectual,  social  and  moral  condition  of  the  whole 
people.  It  cannot  be  questioned  that  they  are  a  potent 
engine  to  accelerate  the  civilization,  and  raise  the  level  of 
society. 

The  first  two  courses  of  lectures  were  as  follows.  No. 
6  of  the  second  course  was  delivered  in  the  Lyceum 
Hall,  at  its  opening,  and  was  especially  prepared  for  the 
occasion. 

FmsT  Course. 
1880,  by  D.  A.  White.— The  Advantages  of  Knowledge. 

"  JohnBrazer. — Authenticity  of  Ancient  Manu- 
scripts. 

"   Francis  Peabody.  —  Steam  Engine. 

"   A.  L.  Peirson. — Physiology. 

-  •'   George  Choate. — Geology. 
■    Thomas  Spencer.  —  Optics. 

Charles  G.  Putnam. — Nervous  System. 
•    -      *•  Thomas  Cole. — Astronomy. 

"   [d  lecture  by  E.  Everett,  on  a  Workingmen's 

Party,  was  read  by  Stephen  C.  Phillips]. 

"  Stephen  C.  Phillips.— Public  Education,  with 

a  sketch  of  the  origin  of  public  schools  in 
Salem. 

"  Henry  Colman. — Human  Mind. 

"  Joshua  B.  Flint,  Boston.  —  Respiration. 

»        "  "  "       -Circulation  of  Blood. 

"        "  "  "      —Digestion. 

Second  Coubse. 

1880,  by  RufUs  Babcock.— Power  of  Mind. 

"  A.  H.  Everett,  Boston.— Review  of  the  con- 
tinual progress  of  the  iiiy>rovement  of  Man- 
kind. 

"  AlonzoPotter,  Boston.— Moral  Philosophy. 

"  Malthus  A.  Ward.  — Gardening. 

1881,  "  Leonard  Withington,  Newbury.— Historical 
ProbabUity. 


1. 

Feb.    24, 

2. 

March  3, 

3. 

"     10, 

4. 

"     17, 

6. 

"     24, 

6. 

"     31, 

7. 

April    6, 

8. 

"      13, 

9. 

"     20, 

10. 


27, 


11. 

May 

4, 

12. 

(( 

11, 

13. 

it 

18, 

14. 

It 

26, 

1. 

Dec. 

1, 

2. 

(i 

8, 

8. 

i< 

16, 

4. 

<{ 

29, 

5. 

Jan. 

12, 

^ 


V. 


y:  .*::-.  V       --    56 

6.  Jan.         20,  1831,  by  Stephen  C.  Phillips.— The  Influence  of  the 

country  and  the  age  on  tlie  condition  of 
Mankind. 

'*  Henry  K.  Oliver.  — Pneumatics. 

"A.  L.  Peirson.  —  Biography  of  Dr.   Jenner, 

and  History  of  Vaccination. 

"  Henry  K.  Oliver.  —  Solar  Eclipse  of  1831. 

•'  George  Choate.  —  Climate  and  Its  influence 

on  organic  life. 

"  Charles  W.  Upham.  —  Salem  Witchcraft. 

(I        (I  i»  "  " 

"  Jonathan  Webb.— Electricity. 

«        «  ««  «« 

<«  A.  H.  Everett,  Boston.- French  Revolution. 

11      II         II  "  "  " 

"  Thomas  Spencer.  — Optical  Instruments. 

"  Malthus  A.  Ward.— Natural  History. 

II  It  II  " 

"  Francis  Peabody.  —  Heat. 

"  StephenP.  Webb.— Russian  History. 

"  Edward    Everett,    Charlestown.  —  Political 

Prospects  of  Europe. 

■  "  Benjamin  F.  Browne.  — Zoology. 

■  "  Ruftis  Choate.— History  of  Poland. 


7. 
8, 

9. 
10. 

11. 
12. 
13. 
14. 
15. 
16. 
17. 
18. 
19. 
20. 
21. 
22. 

23. 
24. 


"     25-26, 
Feb.      1-2, 

"        8-9, 
"    15-16, 

"    22-23, 

Mch.     1-2, 

"        8-9, 

"     15-16, 

'«    22-23, 

"    29-30, 

April     5-6, 

"     12-13, 

"     19-20, 

"     26-27, 

May      3-4, 

"     10-11, 

"     17-18, 
"    24-26, 


Before  leaving  this  subject  I  desire  to  call  attention  to 
the  fact,  that  of  the  twenty-three  gentlemen  who  took 
part,  as  lecturers,  in  the  first  two  courses,  all  but  five 
were  our  own  townsmen.  This  was  in  accordance  with 
the  original  design  of  the  institution,  which"  was  to 
develop  materials  existing  among  us,  encourage  home 
talent,  and,  here  especially,  to  keep  in  vigorous  action 
the  transmitted  love  of  knowledge.  The  rapid  spread  of 
the  system  of  public  lectures,  on  a  permanent  footing, 
very  soon  led  to  the  formation  of  a  new  professional  class 
seeking  employment  at  large.  For  some  years  past  per- 
sons of  this  description  have  almost  exclusively  been 
called  from  abroad  to  lecture  in  our  halls.  I  would  not 
discourage  this  ;;ractice  by  other  associations,  but  respect- 


,\- 


luence  of  the 
I  condition  of 


r  Dr.   Jenner, 

!e  of  1831. 
i  its  influence 

'itchcraft. 


:h  Revolution. 

truments. 
istory. 


istory. 

m.  —  Political 

>land. 

attention  to 
n  who  took 

all  but  five 
)rtlance  with 
lich  was  to 
urage  home 
orous  action 
\\d  spread  of 
lent  footing, 
issional  class 
rs  past  per- 
isively  been 
I  would  not 

but  respect- 


fully  suggest  whether  it  would  not  be  well  for  the  Salem 
Lyceum  to  return  to  the  original  plan.  If  the  Directors 
should  seasonably  seek  out  young  men,  belonging  to  our 
own  community,  and  induce  them  to  select  subjects,  with 
the  whole  inteiTening  period  between  the  courses  for  re- 
search and  preparation ,  I  am  confident  that  elements  enough 
could  be  found  in  our  midst  to  provide  lectures  from  year 
to  year,  that  would  renew  the  original  interest  of  the 
whole  people,  and,  for  all  reasons,  prove  widely  attrac- 
tive. Let  the  experiment  be  tried.  It  would,  I  am  quite 
sure,  lead  to  results  in  which  all  would  be  gratified,  carry 
still  higher,  from  year  to  year,  the  standard  of  general 
intelligence,  and  perpetuate  the  scientific  and  literary 
reputation  and  preeminence  of  our  city. 

About  the  year  1833,  Colonel  Pcabody  built  the  Paper 
Mills  in  Middleton.  Afterwards  he  commenced,  on  a 
large  scale,  the  business  of  refining  Sperm  and  Right 
Whale  Oil,  and  the  manufacture  of  candles.  He  also 
erected  Linseed  Oil  Mills  at  Middleton.  In  initiating 
these  various  branches  of  business  he  carried  out  the  re- 
sults of  experiments  made  in  his  private  laboratory.  Much 
of  the  machinery,  and  many  of  the  methods  of  operation, 
in  all  of  them,  were  derived  from  scientific  works  in  his 
library,  and  from  the  application  of  his  inventive  and 
contriving  faculties,  under  philosophical  principles,  to  the 
minutest  as  well  as  the  most  complicated  details. 

Early  in  1837,  he  took  a  leading  part  in  the  prelim- 
inary consultations  that  led  to  the  establishment  of  the 
Harmony  Grove  Cemetery.  He  presided  at  the  first 
public  meeting,  held  in  Lyceum  Hr^U,  February  24th, 
1837,  to  promote  the  object.  Proceedings  were  inter- 
rupted for  a  time.  At  a  public  meeting,  September  6th, 
1839,  he  was  made  chairman  of  a  committee  to  purchase 


"awgijwawaiaa  'mm  mmtrntmiimiami 


mummMi 


liAHiMnaEntasi 


mmmutuiMimmitMwMtmw 


58 

the  jjroiinds.  On  the  4th  of  October,  1839,  a  committee, 
of  which  he  was  also  chairman,  was  entrusted  with  the 
superintendency  of  the  work,  and  under  its  direction  the 
ground  was  laid  out,  with  avenues  and  paths.  He  pre- 
pared the  model  of  the  keeper's  house ;  and  the  rustic 
arch  and  gate- way,  at  the  eastern  entrance,  was  planned 
by  him,  and  constructed  under  his  immediate  inspection, 
combining  all  the  solidity  and  simplicity  that  stone  can 
give,  with  a  vestment  of  living  verdure,  ever  thickening, 
as  the  tendrils  spread  and  clasp  it,  from  year  to  year.  He 
is  the  first  named  in  the  Act  of  Incorporation,  passed 
February  19,  1840 ;  and  his  taste,  judgment,  and  active 
service  were  appreciated  by  his  associates  throughout. 

With  the  subject  of  architecture,  in  its  character  as  a 
science,  he  had  made  himself  specially  and  thoroughly 
acquainted  by  the  study  of  authorities,  and  careful  obser- 
vations in  his  frequent  and  extensive  foreign  travels.  In 
what  is  called  Decorative  Architecture  he  had  no  superior. 
The  construction  of  his  buildings,  and  the  conveniences 
and  adornments  of  them,  were  all  his  own.  The  arrange- 
ments, in  detail,  of  his  town  house,  display  his  unsur- 
passed taste,  skill,  and  genius,  in  this  department.  His 
elegant  seat  at  Kemwood,  and  the  configuration  and  style 
of  the  grounds,  with  all  their  embellishments,  and  all 
their  utilities,  were  from  plans  prepared  by  him.  Some 
articles  of  furniture  were  selected  and  purchased  abroad, 
but  a  large  proportion  of  them,  in  each  of  his  residences, 
were  from  models  devised,  or  drawings  executed  by  his 
direction,  in  his  workshop,  under  his  own  eye,  and  to  a 
considerable  extent,  by  his  own  hands.  In  many  partic- 
ulars of  beauty,  richness  and  convenience,  they  have 
rarely  been  equalled.  The  ornamentation  of  the  interior 
of  the  North  Church  in  this  city — so  much  and  justly 


>tm^SM4SiSMMS^IK^'^ 


a  committee, 
ted  with  the 
direction  the 
hs.  He  pre- 
ad  the  rustic 

was  planned 
;e  inspection, 
lat  stone  can 
r  thickening, 
■  to  year.  He 
ation,  passed 
it,  and  active 
roughout. 
Iiaracter  as  a 
d  thoroughly 
lareful  obser- 

travels.  In 
1  no  superior, 
conveniences 
The  arrange- 
ly  his  unsur- 
rtment.  His 
tioD  and  style 
ents,  and  all 

him.  Some 
lased  abroad, 
is  residences, 
ecuted  by  his 
jye,  and  to  a 

many  partic- 
e,  they  have 
f  the  hiterior 
ch  and  justly 


S--*-eStS£^%'SiI 


admired  —  walls,  ceiling,  orchestra,  organ  frame,  gallery 
and  lights  —  was  wholly  designed  by  him,  and  executed 
under  his  sole  direction. 

His  Wind-mill,  a  skilfully  planned  and  very  ingenious 
machine,  upon  novel  principles,  is  much  used  in  some  of 
the  Western  States.  The  entire  structure  revolves  to 
meet  the  direction  of  the  "'re  '  air.  The  fans,  of 
boards  or  plank,  adjust  tUeiA^selvt  o  the  force  of  the 
wind,  and,  in  fact,  the  entire  machinery  works  more 
smoothly,  steadily  and  equably,  the  stronger  it  blows. 
One  of  them,  on  the  estate  at  Kernwood,  draws  from  a 
well,  at  some  distance,  and  a  depth  of  sixty  feet,  all  the 
water  used  in  that  establishment.  Another,  a  flour  mill, 
constructed  on  similar  principles,  but  of  much  larger 
dimensions,  stands  on  the  same  premises. 

The  application  of  science  to  practical  and  useful  arts 
was  not  only  the  unwearied  labor,  but  the  happy  enter- 
tainment of  his  life.  For  only  a  few  of  his  innumerable 
improvements  in  this  department  did  he  procure  patent 
rights,  and  only  in  some  of  them  prosecute  the  results  of 
his  contrivances,  in  actual  business  operations  for  the 
sake  of  emolument.  From  time  to  time  many  ingenious 
cooperatives  were  employed  by  him,  and  have  derived 
benefits  to  themselves,  in  subsequent  periods  of  their 
lives,  and  in  other  spheres  of  action,  from  processes 
wrought  out  in  his  laboratory  and  workshop,  by  his  and 
their  joint  labors,  but  at  his  expense.  His  habit  was, 
when  a  new  subject  of  research,  or  the  possibility  of 
effecting  any  particular  improvement  in  the  use  of  me- 
chanical or  chemical  forces,  occurred  to  him,  to  learn,  in 
the  first  instance,  all  that  had  been  wi'itten  or  accom- 
plished by  others  in  the  matter.  He  would  send  abroad 
for  the  best  and  latest  publications  relating  to  it,  and 


:-■ T.'«c»a»!^isMP<lliMtMMiCMM 


60 

procure,  at  any  cost,  all  drawings,  descriptions,  or  instru- 
ments that  Avould  illustrate  it.  In  this  way  be  collected 
a  library  and  apparatus  of  tbe  eboicest  and  most  valuable 
sort,  and  of  tbe  greatest  variety  and  extent.  After 
studying  the  wbole  subject,  in  the  use  of  these  means,  he 
would  betake  himself  to  his  laboratory,  and  never  weary 
in  experiments  and  operations  until  he  had  accomplished 
the  desired  result,  or  become  convinced  that  it  was  beyond 
attainment.  As  soon,  in  any  case,  as  the  requisite  condi- 
tions were  secured  and  the  designed  machine  completed, 
or  the  attempt  found  impracticable,  he  would  turn  to 
some  other  project.  The  consequence  is  that  he  has  left, 
to  be  used  by  others,  the  fruits  of  his  toils.  His  musical 
instruments,  for  instance,  constructed  upon  the  most 
ingenious  principles,  have  never  been  put  to  use,  or 
brought  before  the  public ;  and  the- melodeons  and  organs 
constructed  by  him  in  the  most  finished,  compact,  simple, 
economical  and  beautiful  forms,  adapted  either  to  pipes 
or  reeds,  in  which  the  use  of  the  fingers  of  the  per- 
former, or  the  hands  of  a  blower,  may  be  dispensed  with, 
are  to  be  seen  only  in  his  own  private  manufactory. 
They  were  the  results  of  the  studies,  contrivances  and 
labors  of  his  last  years,  and  had  just  been  completed. 

He  had  no  ambition  to  acquire  celebrity  as  a  man  of 
science,  but  only  aimed  to  gratify  his  own  miaJ  in  the 
pursuit  of  knowledge,  and  to  turn  his  experiments  and 
researches  to  practical  and  useful  purposes.  His  active 
devotion  to  philosophical  enquiries  and  operations,  did 
not,  however,  escape  observation.  His  zealous  labors 
were  appreciated  by  all  engaged  in  similar  investigations, 
and  interested  in  scientific  culture  and  advancement.  A 
quarter  of  a  century  ago  he  was  elected  a  member  of  the 
American  Academy  of  Arts  and  Sciences. 


US,  or  instru- 
y  he  collected 
most  valuable 
xteut.  After 
3se  means,  be 
I  never  weary 
accomplisbed 
it  was  beyond 
quisite  condi- 
le  completed, 
Duld  turn  to 
it  he  has  left, 
His  musical 
ion  the  most 
[t  to  use,  or 
Qs  and  organs 
ipact,  simple, 
ither  to  pipes 
J  of  the  per- 
spensed  with, 
manufactory, 
trivances  and 
)mpleted. 
'  as  a  man  of 
miaJ  in  the 
eriments  and 
.  His  active 
derations,  did 
ealous  labors 
Investigations, 
.ncement.  A 
lember  of  the 


BSiaBBiiTaS 


01 

In  the  course  of  his  life,  he  made,  I  believe,  no  less 
than  eight  visits  to  Europe,  some  of  them  quite  pro- 
tracted. In  most  cases  his  family  accompanied  him. 
They  were  not  made  to  escape  from  the  tediousness  of 
life  at  home,  or  to  conform  with  the  fashion  of  people  in 
like  circumstances  with  himself,  but  for  purposes  of 
health,  in  the  gratification  of  his  active  nature,  and  to 
gather  materials  for  the  better  development  of  his  zeal 
for  scientific  improvement.  While  abroad  he  was  always 
on  the  watch  to  find  and  explore  whatever  illustrated  the 
application  of  philosophical  principles  to  useful  arts,  and 
to  keep  up  with  the  progress  of  mechanism.  He  was 
recognized,  as  a  familiar  acquaintance,  in  the  workshops 
of  ingenious  artisans  in  all  the  great  cities,  and  wherever 
the  processes  of  skill  and  ingenuity,  in  the  analysis  of 
the  elements  of  nature  and  the  application  of  its  capaci- 
ties and  forces,  were  carried  to  the  highest  exemplifica- 
tion ;  and  he  would  come  back  to  his  own  laboratory  with 
renewed  enthusiasm,  wider  views,  more  enlarged  knowl- 
edge, and  more  earnest  desires  to  turn  to  practical  account 
the  discoveries  of  the  age. 

His  attention,  on  one  of  these  occasions,  for  instance, 
while  in  Paris,  was  drawn  to  aluminium,  and  the  proper- 
ties it  possesses.  He  procured  a  quantity  of  the  metal 
upon  which  to  experiment  on  his  return.  Some  time 
after  reaching  home  he  carried  a  parcel  of  it  to  our 
respected  fellow  citizen.  Dr.  J.  E.  Fisk,  and  gave  it  to 
him,  saying  that  it  was  susceptible  of  a  use  that  would 
revolutionize  the  art  of  dentistry.  Dr.  Fisk  carried  out 
his  suggestions,  and  aluminium  is  now  generally  used 
everywhere,  superseding  silver,  and  from  it  lightness 
preferable  to  gold.  I  mention  this,  not  merely  because 
it  shows  how  Colonel  Peabody  occupied  his  thoughts,  and 


Mt  iHilliihiiliitlli'aWiii 


62 


exercised  his  observation  while  abroad,  and  the  free  and 
liberal  use  he  made  of  the  new  ideas  there  obtained,  but 
also  because  it  presents  a  singular  instance  of  several 
minds,  placed  beyond  possible  intercommunication,  being 
simultaneously  led  to  the  same  discovery.  When  Colonel 
Peabody  made  his  communication  to  Dr.  Fisk,  he  sup- 
posed that  the  suggestion  was  peculiar  to  himself,  and 
they  both  took  the  matter  in  hand,  of  the  application  of 
aluminium  to  the  particular  purpose  conjectured,  with  all 
the  interest  and  earnestness  attending  an  original  experi- 
ment. The  Doctor  found  the  result  perfectly  successful, 
and  introduced  the  great  improvement  into  his  practice. 
But  the  next  "Dental  News  Letter,"  the  periodical  journal 
of  that  branch  of  the  Medical  Profession,  contained  an 
article  which  showed  that  Dr.  Van  Denburgh,  of  Oswego, 
New  York,  at  the  very  time  when  Dr.  Fisk  was  making 
out  of  the  lump  Colonel  Peabody  had  brought  to  him  for 
the  purpose  dental  plates  of  pure  aluminium,  was  doing 
the  same  thing  without  any  suspicion  that  the  thought 
had  occurred  to  another  person ;  and  it  turned  out  that, 
four  years  before,  a  patent  had  been  granted  in  England 
to  a  dentist  there,  for  the  same  object,  but  that  no 
general  publicity,  at  least  out  of  England,  had  been  given 
to  the  improvement.  We  have  hero,  therefore,  a  case, 
in  which  three  minds,  entirely  separate  from  fct»ch  other, 
travelling  over  diflferent  paths,  came  together  at  the  same 
point,  in  an  application  of  scientific  research,  to  a  dis- 
covery of  gr'^s't  practical  importance. 

At  this  point  it  may  be  most  proper,  as  the  review  of 
Colonel  Peabody 's  operations,  in  the  search  of  scientific 
truth,  and  in  effectual  applications  of  it  in  manufacturing 
and  commercial  pursuits,  is  drawing  U)  a  close,  to  insert 
the  following  letters,   addrfsssed  to  me,  from  persons 


« 


M 


the  free  and 
btained,  but 
I  of  several 
iation,  being 
hen  Colonel 
isk,  he  siJip- 
limself,  and 
pptication  of 
•ed,  >vith  all 
final  experi- 
Y  successful, 
his  practice, 
dical  journal 
iontained  an 
of  Oswego, 
was  making 
t  to  him  for 
I,  was  doing 
the  thought 
led  out  that, 
I  in  England 
but  that  no 
d  been  given 
fore,  a  case, 
I  bbch  other, 
at  the  same 
sh,  to  a  dis- 

he  review  of 
of  scientific 
anufacturing 
)se,  to  insert 
rom  persons 


whose  recollections  specially  enable  them  to  speak  upon 
the  sul)jcct : 

"East,  Boston,  Mass.,  March  16,  1868. 

Your  note  of  the  14th  Inst.,  In  reference  to  my  recollections  of  the 
Bcicntlflc  lectures  of  our  late  esteemed  fViend,  Francis  Peabody,  during 
the  years  1828  and  1829,  is  before  me. 

In  reply,  I  can  only  state,  that  iit  the  time  named,  I  was  about 
twenty -one  years  of  age,  and  was  be|Q;inning  to  be  interested  In  the 
Steam  Engine,  and  in  Natural  Philosophy  generally.  A  few  years 
previous  to  these  dates,  I  became  acquainted  with  Joseph  Dixon  (now 
of  Jersey  City,  X.  J.),  and  witli  him  generally  attended  Mr.  Peabody'a 
lectures  In  Salem.  At  that  time,  being  somewhat  acquainted  with 
practical  mcclianics,  I  was  firequently  employed  by  Mr.  Peabody  In 
repairing  or  constructing  some  of  bis  apparatus,  wliich  embraced  all 
that  Yias  then  known  of  the  Steam  Engine,  Electricity,  Pneumatics, 
Hydraulics,  Chemistry,  etc.,  but  Mr.  Dixon  was  his  right  hand  man,  and 
had  the  general  management  and  manipulation  of  all  Mr.  Peabody's 
apparatus  during  the  progress  of  the  lectures,  thereby  relieving  Mr. 
Peabody  from  making  the  experiments  himself  before  the  audience, 
and  giving  Mr.  Dixon  the  opportunity  of  manipulating,  at  which  he 
was  an  expert  and  entirely  at  home. 

From  my  long  acquaintance  and  unbroken  Intimacy  with  Colonel 
Peabody,  I  formed  the  opinion  that  he  possessed  a  vast  taad  of  theo- 
retical knowledge  upon  all  the  subjects  before  named,  and  as  a  prac- 
tical Chemist,  he  occupied  the  ffont  rank.  In  his  later  years  he 
fi-equently  ultlmated  this  knowledge  In  various  kinds  of  manufactures, 
which  seemingly  was  the  love  of  his  life.  He  was  ever  of  a  genial  and 
happy  disposition,  and  nothing  gave  him  greater  satisfaction  than  to 
be  able  to  answer  any  questions  relating  to  these  interesting  subjects. 
I  am.  Sir,  most  respectfully, 

Yours,  etc., 

INCREASE   8.   HILL, 

U.  8  Inspector  of  Steam  Vessels. 

In  a  letter  recently  received  in  this  city,  from  Mr. 
Dixon,  the  gentleman  referred  to  by  Mr.  Hill,  he  says  of 
Colonel  Peabody,  that  he  "had  great  love  for  chemical 
and  mechanical  knowledge,  and  a  high  appreciation  of 
whatever  seemed  a  step  forward,  in  the  practical  appli- 
cation of  science  to  the  arts." 


64 

The  following  is  from  James  Kimball,  Esq.,  President 
of  the  Salem  Charitable  Mechanic  Associution : 


"  Salkm,  March,  25th,  18A8. 

Undcrntanding  that  you  have  accepted  the  Invitation  of  the  Ennox 
Inxtltuto  to  prepare  a  Men;olr  of  the  late  Colonel  FrnuclH  Peabody, 
it  has  been  suggested  to  me,  that  I  give  you  my  recollections  of  his 
connection  with  the  Introduction  of  popular  lectures  as  a  means  of 
liHtructlon,  In  the  various  departments  of  SclcntlHc  Investigation. 

In  December,  1827,  the  Mechanic  Association  of  Salem,  appointed  a 
Committee  to  consider  the  expediency  of  inntltutlng  a  course  of 
lectures;  at  this  time  I  was  the  acting  librarian  of  the  Mechanic 
Library,  and  had  t^ie  opportunity  of  knowing  the  views  of  those  most 
interested  in  their  establishment,  and  their  report,  favorable  to  the 
proposed  object,  was  baned  upon  the  encouragement  and  cooperation 
tendered  to  them  by  Colonel  Peabody,  who  entered  with  all  the  enthu- 
siasm of  his  nature  into  the  work,  and  commenced  the  preparation  of 
a  series  of  lectures  on  Steam,  and  Its  application  to  the  Mechaulc  Arts. 

The  flrst  series  of  lecttircs  delivered  by  him  was  In  the  Franklin 
Hall.  They  were  practlc;  ,  as  well  as  experimental,  and  were  Illus- 
trated by  his  valuable  and  extensive  working  models.  Some  of  his 
Steam  Engines  were  of  sufficient  power  to  run  a  common  lathe. 

I  remember  well  that.  In  his  Illustrations  of  the  application  of  steam 
as  a  motive  power,  he  exhibited  all  the  improvements,  of  any  note, 
that  had  been  made  up  to  that  period,  with  working  models  of  the 
various  Inventions  fVom  the  earliest  and  simplest  application  of  xteam 
as  a  motive  power,  up  to  the  later  discoveries  and  inventions  of  Watt 
and  others. 

It  was  understood,  at  that  time,  that  no  public  Institution  could 
exhibit  so  varied  and  valuable  a  collection  of  working  models  as  Mr. 
Peabody  possessed  and  used  in  the  illustration  of  these  lectures. 

The  next  season  he  prepared  a  Course  of  Lectures  on  Chemistry, 
Electricity,  and  Pneumatics,  in  which  he  was  assisted  by  Dr.  Jonathan 
Webb,  a  practical  chemist  and  apothecary  of  that  day.  These  were 
delivered  in  Concert  Uall,  on  Central  street,  and  were  illustrated  by 
the  apparatus  of  Mr.  Peabody.  In  his  lectures  on  Electricity  ho  used 
a  new  machine  constructed  for  himself,  which  was  said  to  have  been 
the  largest  in  the  country;  the  glass  plate  wheel  of  which  he  had 
imported  flrom  Germany,  at  great  cost.  I  think  It  was  stated  to  be 
9l,G0O. 

Colonel  Peabody  was  admitted  a  member  of  the  Mechanic  Associa- 
tion In  1833,  and  styled  himself  a  manufacturer. 


.,  President 
t : 

,  26th,  18fi8. 

n  of  the  Essex 
mcls  Peabody, 
lections  of  his 
ns  a  means  of 
'cstlgatlon. 
m,  appointed  a 
{  a  course  of 
tho  Mechanic 
of  those  nioNt 
v-orable  to  the 
id  cooperation 
1  all  tho  enthu- 
preparatlon  of 
Mechanic  Arts. 
D  the  Franklin 
nd  were  lllua- 
Some  of  his 
>n  lathe. 
:atlon  of  steam 
9,  of  any  note, 
models  of  tho 
atlon  of  steam 
ntlons  of  Watt 

stltution  could 
models  as  Mr. 
lectures, 
on  Chemistry, 
y  Dr.  Jonathan 
.    These  were 

illustrated  by 
tricity  ho  used 
I  to  have  been 

which  he  had 
IS  stated  to  be 

;haiiic  Associa- 


,i>ai««i8SKSvS! 


65 

1  feel  very  confident  that  the  intlaence  of  these  lf>cture«,  on  the 
young  nit'chaulcs  of  thot  doy,  was  productive  of  K^euter  good  than  all 
other  sources  of  investigation  and  study  which  hud  ever  before  been 
opened  to  them,  awnlcening  and  stimulating  the  mind  by  their  ft-eshncss, 
and  by  the  practical  application  of  principles  which  were  new  to  them, 
and  but  for  the  interest  of  tho  lecturer  In  tho  investigation  of  theories 
as  well  as  principles,  and  his  desire  to  Impart  to  others  whatever 
interested  himself,  would  have  lost  a  part  of  their  usefulness  by  being 
hid  from  those  who  were  most  likely  to  be  bcnelited. 

I  have  fk-e(|uently,  since  that  time,  met  those  who  attended  these 
early  lectures,  who  have  referred  to  them  as  being  their  Incentives  to 
flirther  study  and  investigation ;  and  many  of  those  who  have  distin- 
guished themselves  as  master  mechanics  and  Inventors,  have  attribu- 
ted much  of  their  success  to  the  opportunities  afforded,  and  the 
inspiration  given  them,  by  the  Interest  taken  In  their  instruction  by 
one  who  was  desirous  of  imparting  to  others  whatever  his  means  and 
advantages  had  enabled  him  to  accomplish. 

I  hove  thus  presented  to  you  my  recollections  of  this  period,  and 
feel  very  confident  that  I  have  not  overstated,  but  have  rather  come 
short  of  the  fiicts.  If  they  will  aid  you,  In  the  learfC*'.X?^  are  at  your 
service. 

Our  associate,  Henry  M.  Brooks,  clerk  of  the  Forest 
River  Lead  Company,  lias  kindly  communicated  the 
following  minutes : 

"  Colonel  Peabody  commenced  the  White  Lead  business  somewhere 
about  1826,  in  South  Salem,  where  LaGrangc  street  now  Is.  In  1880,  he 
bought  Wyman's  Mills,  now  known  as  the  Forest  River  Mills,  which 
were  sold  to  the  Forest  River  Lead  Company,  in  1843.  Mr.  Peabody 
carried  on  the  lead  business  until  the  latter  date,  and  manufactured, 
very  extensively  White  Lead,  Sheet  Lead,  and  Lead  Pipe.  About 
1833  he  built  the  Paper  Mills  at  Middletou,  and  made  book  and  print- 
ing paper  of  the  very  best  quality,  until  he  disposed  of  that  property 
In  1848.  From  1883  to  1887  be  sold  largely  to  Gales  and  Seaton,  the 
celebrated  printers  and  publishers  In  Washington.  When  Mr.  Pret. 
cott  was  about  commencing  the  publication  of  his  "History  of 
Ferdinand  and  Isabella,"  the  first  edition  of  which  wm  to  be  brought 
out  simultaneously  in  this  country  and  in  England,  he  sent  for  Mr. 
Peabody  and  showed  him  his  samples  of  English  paper,  and  wae  very 
desirous  to  have  the  American  copies  equal,  if  not  sup'Tk  r,  io  the 
English,  and  for  that  purpose  contracted  with  Mr.  Peabody  to  fbrnish 
him  with  the  paper.  The  quality  of  the  paper,  which  Mr.  Peabody 
9 


66 

manufactured  expressly  for  this  work,  was  very  satisfactory  to  Mr. 
Prescott,  and  was  considered  a  very  superior  article,  and  probably 
the  best  paper  which  could  then  have  been  made  In  the  country. 
Peabody's  paper  for  blank  books  was  well  know!i  among  stationers 
as  the  best  in  the  market. 

About  1836,  Mr.  Peabody  commenced.  In  South  Salem,  the  business 
of  refining  Sperm  and  Whale  Oil,  and  the  manufacture  of  Sperm 
Candles.  In  one  year  he  purchased  $100,000  worth  of  Sperm  Oil,  and 
$50,000  worth  of  Whale  Oil.  His  candles  had  a  great  reputation  both 
at  home  and  abroad.  He  Imported  the  first  braldliig  machine  and 
made  the  first  candles  with  the  braided  wick,  then  considered  a  great 
improvement  over  the  common  wick.  About  1837,  Mr.  Peabody  built 
Linseed  Oil  Mills  at  Middleton,  and  went  largely  Into  the  business  of 
making  Linseed  Oil,  importing  his  flax  seed  from  Europe  and  from 
Calcutta.  In  order  to  procure  larger  supplies  of  seed  he  chartered,  In 
1841,  the  ship  General  Harrison,  and  the  same  year  purchased  the  ship 
Isaac  Hicks,  and  the  next  year,  the  ship  New  Jersey.  These  vessels 
he  sent  to  Calcutta,  and  they  returned  to  Salem  with  cargoes  of  Cal- 
cutta goods,  and  great  quantities  of  Linseed.  When  the  New  Jersey 
arrived  in  Salem  in  1843,  it  was  said  that  she  was  the  largest  mer- 
chantman that  had  ever  discharged  a  cargo  here.  She  registered 
between  600  and  700  tons,  and  was  a  great  carrier.  The  Linseed  Oil, 
like  all  the  other  articles  manufactured  by  Mr.  Peabody,  was  of  the 
best  quality.  At  that  time  there  was  only  one  other  Linseed  Mill  in 
this  part  of  the  country,  namely,  that  belonging  to  Mr.  Stearns,  at 
Medford. 

Mr.  Peabody  also  shipped  to  London  large  quantities  of  Linseed  Cake, 
used  extensively  In  England  for  feeding  cattle.  From  this  statement 
It  will  be  seen  that  Mr.  Peabody  at  one  time  carried  on  the  following 
branches  of  business,  namely.  White  Lead,  Sheet  Lead,  Lead  Pipe, 
Linseed  Oil,  Sperm  and  Whale  Oil,  Sperm  Candles  and  Paper,  employ- 
ing directly  and  Indirectly  a  great  number  of  men.  There  were  at  one 
time  commission  houses  In  New  York  and  Boston  employed  almost 
exclusively  with  his  business.  The  well  known  firm  of  Chandler  and 
Howard,  In  Boston,  may  be  mentioned  as  an  Instance.  To  do  the 
same  amount  of  business  Mr.  Peabody  did  when  he  was  manufacturing 
largely,  would  now  probably  involve  a  capital  of  over  a  million  of 
doUars." 

Colonel  Peabody's  manufacturing  and  commercial  oper- 
ations in  Linseed,  described  by  Mr.  Brooks,  led  him  to 
pay  particular  attention  to   flax,  especially   a  valuable 


ry  satisfactory  to  Mr. 
article,  and  probably 
made  in  the  country. 
)wn  among  stationers 

ith  Salem,  the  business 
nanufacture  of  Sperm 
arth  of  Sperm  Oil,  and 
I  great  reputation  both 
braiding  machine  and 
ten  considered  a  great 
1837,  Mr.  Peabody  built 
ely  into  the  business  of 
from  Europe  and  from 
if  seed  he  chartered,  in 
rear  purchased  the  ship 
Jersey.  These  vessels 
im  with  cargoes  of  Cal- 
When  the  New  Jersey 
e  was  the  largest  mer- 
here.  She  registered 
Tier.  The  Linseed  Oil, 
r.  Peabody,  was  of  the 
I  other  Linseed  Mill  in 
Ing  to  Mr.  Stearns,  at 

intities  of  Linseed  Cake, 
,  From  this  statement 
:arried  on  the  following 
heet  Lead,  Lead  Pipe, 
Jles  and  Paper,  employ- 
len.  There  were  at  one 
oston  employed  almost 
7a  firm  of  Chandler  and 
a  iiistance.  To  do  the 
m  he  was  manufacturing 
U  of  over  a  million  of 


id  commercial  oper- 
Brooks,  led  him  to 
pecially   a  valuable 


!:i.-5^SS»i*-((i*<i.~.-  ', 


W^ 


67 

species  of  it,  grown  in  Bengal.  The  plant  there  reaches 
a  considerable  height,  and  its  bark  yields  the  finest  and 
longest  strands.  The  lower  part,  or  but-end,  is  quite 
thick,  the  bark  rough,  containing  irregular  threads,  of  a 
very  short  staple.  Regarded  by  the  natives  as  a  refuse 
portion  of  the  shrub,  it  can  be  obtained  of  them  at  a  very 
low  price.  He  procured  some  of  these  but-ends,  and 
went  to  work  upon  them  in  a  building  erected  for  the 
purpose  at  Kernwood,  until  he  had  matured  the  requisite 
machinery  to  disengage  and  straighten  out  the  fibres,  and 
twist  and  weld  them  into  continuous  threads ;  and  finally 
succeeded  in  producing,  out  of  them,  cotton  bagging  of  a 
superior  quality.  His  factory  for  this  purpose,  and  the 
first  of  the  kind  ever  contrived,  recently  established  here 
on  a  large  scale,  gives  employment  to  a  great  number  of 
persons.  The  article  wrought  in  it  is  called  Jute,  from 
the  name  of  the  district  in  Bengal  (Chotee)  from  which 
the  raw  material  is  obtained. 

His  enterprise  and  liberality,  stimulated  by  the  lively 
interest  he  felt  in  our  local  annals  and  antiquities,  and 
his  reverence  for  the  memory  of  the  first  settlers  of  this 
place,  took  effect  in  one  great  service,  never  to  be  forgot- 
ten, in  the  historical  department  of  the  Essex  Institute. 
It  is  a  matter  of  record  that,  in  1670,  the  Meeting- 
house of  the  First  Church  was  superseded  by  a  new  one, 
and  that  the  old  building,  consisting  of  two  parts,  one 
erected  in  1634,  the  other  an  enlargement  made  in  1639, 
was  thereafter  used  for  various  purposes,  and  ultimately 
removed  from  its  original  site.  Tradition,  supported  by 
a  strong  array  of  certificates  from  certain  individuals 
who  had  enjoyed  favorable  opportunities  of  receiving 
information  on  the  subject,  and  which  had  long  been  cur- 
rent, pointed  to  a  building  owned  by  Mr.  David  Nichols, 


•liSjNMMI 


iiirnm»iifiwiwi>tiiti>irtri«ifi)iiiiin>iairriiiriri 


■iiMiiiiHNUiMlMaAnMiMt 


6S 

standing  on  his  premises,  in  the  rear  of  the  tanneries, 
under  the  brow  of  Witch  Hill,  as  the  original  part  of  the 
primitive  Meeting-house— that  erected  in  1634.     It  was 
precisely  of  the  same  length,  br  >adth,  and  height,  consist- 
ing of  a  single  room,  with  plastered  walls  and  ceiling,  and 
a  garret.     It  had  been  used  for  some  time  as  a  lumber- 
room,  but  was  in  a  state  of  decay  that  would  not  long 
have  allowed  of  its  being  serviceable  even  in  that  way. 
The  story  was,  that  at  an  early  period  it  had  been  occu- 
pied as  a  wayfarer's  inn,  a  stopping  place  on  the  original 
road   from    Salem  to  Lynn;    also  the  only  one  then 
travelled  between  the  interior  and  Marblehead.     If  it  was 
the  veritable  Meeting-house,  it  had,  as  we  know,  been 
used,  still  earlier  in  its  intermediate  history,  as  a  school 
house.     The  subject  was  investigated  by  the  Essex  Insti- 
tute.    Mr.  Nichols  presented  the  building,  and  the  Salem 
Athenroum  gave  a  site  for  it,  where  it  now  stands,  in  the 
rear  of  Plummer  Hall.     Colonel  Peabody,  who,  with  the 
late  George  A.  Ward,  had  taken  a  leading  icterest  in  the 
matter,  offered  to  assume  the  entire  expense  of  the  opera- 
tion of  removal  and  reconstruction.     He  proceeded,  with 
careful  workmen,  to  direct  and  Duperiutend  the  process  of 
taking  it  to  pieces.     It  was  certain  from  expressions  in 
the  record,  that,  when  used  as  a  Meeting-house,  there  was 
a  gallery  at  one  end,  of  which,  however,  at  this  time, 
there  was  no  appearance,  in  the  aspect  of  the  room. 
This  cu-cumstance  had  introduced  some  perplexity  and 
thrown  doubt  over  the  whole  subject.     There  were,  how- 
ever, two  upright  posts,  of  great  size,  equal  to  that  of  the 
corner  or  mam  posts,  standing  opposite  to  each  other, 
about  one  third    f  the  distance  from  one  end  of  the  build- 
ing, and  an  equally  large  transverse  beam  resting  on  their 
tops.    Why  these  posts,  and  the  beam  above  the  ceiling 


the  tanneries, 
lal  part  of  the 
1634.  It  was 
leight,  consist- 
ad  ceiling,  and 

as  a  lumber- 
ould  not  long 
n  in  that  way. 
ad  been  occu- 
on  the  original 
)nly  one  then 
ead.  If  it  was 
ire  know,  been 
y,  as  a  school 
he  Essex  Insti- 

and  the  Salem 
IT  stands,  in  the 
,  who,  with  the 

interest  in  the 
36  of  the  opera- 
)roceeded,  with 
i  the  process  of 

expressions  in 
louse,  there  was 
r,  at  this  time, 
,  of  the  room. 

perplexity  and 
lere  were,  how- 
al  to  that  of  the 
1  to  each  other, 
nd  of  the  build- 
resting  on  their 
lOve  the  ceiling 


ft9 

connecting  them,  were  placed  at  one-third  instead  of  one- 
half  the  distance  in  the  length  of  the  building,  was  the 
question.  At  first  it  was  thought  to  favor  the  supposi- 
tion that  there  had  been  a  gallery,  which  would  have  con- 
firmed the  tradition;  for  no  other  use  than  that  of  a 
Meeting-house  would  have  required,  or  allowed  of,  a 
gallery.  But  there  was  not  height  enough,  under  the 
rafters,  and  above  the  transverse  beam,  resting  as  it  did 
on  the  top  of  the  upright  posts  and  the  plate  of  the 
frame ;  and  this  seemed  to  negative  the  idea  that  the 
transverse  beam  was  designed  to  support  a  gallery.  The 
upright  posts  had  been  coated  over  with  some  sort  of 
moi-tar  and  whitewashed.  Upon  breaking  and  picking 
it  off,  the  original  mortices  were  revealed  a  few  feet  be- 
low the  ceiling,  exactly  of  the  size  to  receive  the  tenons 
of  the  transverse  beam,  with  a  shoulder  in  the  upright 
post  at  the  same  point,  so  that  the  bearing  should  be  not 
only  upon  the  tenons,  but  upon  the  body  of  the  posts  and 
beam.  In  knocking  away  the  plaster  from  the  plate,  or 
transverse  beam,  at  the  nearest  end  of  the  building, 
grooves  were  found  fitted  to  receive  the  upper  ends  of 
the  joists  upon  which  the  floor  of  the  gallery  was  laid. 
It  seems  that  when  the  building  was  converted  to  the  use 
of  a  school  room,  or  when  used  for  any  other  purpose, 
the  gallery,  being  found  an  obstruction  and  incumbrance, 
w.'is  put  out  of  the  way,  by  raising  the  front  beam  on 
which  it  fested  up  to  the  top  of  the  posts,  and  a  clear 
ceiling  spread  under  it.  No  discovery  in  astronomy, 
electricity,  or  other  field  of  science,  or  search  of  antiqua- 
rian, was  ever  received  with  more  enthusiastic  gratifica- 
tion, than  filled  the  minds  of  all  engaged  in  the  work 
when  these  mortices  and  grooves  were  brought  to  light. 
So  much  as  was  undecayed  of  the  timbers  and  rafters, 


70 


was  put  up,  on  the  new  site,  with  new  material  to  supply 
what  had  mouldered  away,  and  the  building  stands  com- 
plete again. 

The  manner  in  which  the  whole  thing  was  done,  the 
carefulness  and  good  judgment  with  which  the  half-per- 
ished old  structure  was  taken  down  and  removed,  and 
the  thoroughness  and  exactness  with  which  it  has  been 
restored,  attest  the  skill,  energy,  liberality,  public  epirit, 
and  reverence  for  the  First  Fathers  of  our  country,  which 
marked  the  character  of  our  late  President.     The  vener- 
able building,  thus  rescued  from  farther  decay,  standing 
on  ground  contiguous  to  his  own  garden,  and  near  the 
scene  of  his  scientific  explorations  and  experiments,  may 
well  be  regarded  as  his  monument.     As  a  relic  of  our 
American  antiquity  it  is  unique  and  precious,  endeared 
by  sacred  associations  to  the   hearts   of   Patriots    and 
Christiap'?.     In  former  ages,  tens  and  himdreds  of  thou- 
sands of  pilgrims  flocked,  year  after  year,  from  the  whole 
catholic,  which  was  then  the  whole  European,  world,  to 
pay  devout  homage  to  what  was  believed  by  them  to  be 
the  house  in  which  the  mother  of  the  Saviour  dwelt.   Here 
is  our  Loretto,  and  this  the  Santa  Casa,  to  be  visited  by 
all,  in  coming  ages,  and  from  foreign  lauds,  who  share  in 
the  enlightened  interest,  ever  deepening  and  spreading 
as  civilization  advances,  that  consecrates  the  memory  of 
the  founders  of  the  free  institutions  of  the  New  World. 

Daniel  A.  White,  the  first  President  of  the  Essex  In- 
stitute, continued  in  office  until  his  death  in  1861.  Asahel 
Huntington,  who  succeeded  him,  retired  in  1865;  and 
Francis  Peabody  was,  in  the  same  year,  elected  to  the 
office.  Soon  after  he  visited  England  and  the  continent. 
At  this  time  he  undoubtedly  communicated  to  his  kins- 
man, George  Peabody  of  London,  a  full  account  of  the 


lU. 


mm 


m^m 


71 


rial  to  supply 
g  stands  cum- 

v&a  done,  the 

the  half-per- 
removed,  and 
h  it  has  been 

public  epirit, 

lountry,  which 

The  vener- 

ecay,  standing 

and  near  the 
eriments,  may 
1  relic  of  our 
ous,  endeared 

Patriots  and 
dreds  of  thou- 
rom  the  whole 
san,  world,  to 
3y  them  to  be 
r  dwelt.  Here 
)  be  visited  by 
,  who  share  in 
md  spreading 
he  memory  of 
New  World, 
the  Essex  In- 

1861.  Asahel 
in  1865 ;  and 
elected  to  the 
the  continent, 
ed  to  his  kins- 
account  of  the 


history,  condition,  and  usefulness  of  the  Institute.  A 
warm  friendship  had  long  been  cherished  between  him 
and  the  Great  Philanthropist,  who  reposed  entire  con- 
fidence in  his  character  and  judgment,  and  was  therefore 
disposed  to  enter  heartily  into  his  views ;  and  our  society 
was  included  within  the  scope  of  that  noble  scheme  of 
munificence  which  has  showered  such  unparalleled  bene- 
factions upon  Europe  and  America.*  The  endowment  of 
the  Peabody  Academy  has  placed  the  scientific  part  of  the 
Essex  Institute  on  a  foundation  that  secures  its  permanent 
preeminence  as  a  School  of  Philosophy  and  the  Arts. 
The  historical  department,  at  the  same  time,  has  been 
relieved  of  a  large  portion  of  its  burden,  and  indirectly 
benefited  in  various  ways.  It  has,  thus  far,  been  sus- 
tained by  the  devoted  zeal  of  uncompensated  laborers,  and 
the  friendly  influence  of  an  appreciating  community.  It 
will  continue  its  great  work  in  the  same  spirit  and  with 
the  same  support.  Its  claims  will  meet  the  response  of  a 
grateful  public;  generous  hearts  will  warm  towards  it, 
and  benefactors  be  raised  up  to  carry  it  onward ;  so  that 
we  may  now  feel  sure  that  ultimately  the  hopes  and 
prayers  of  the  first  colonists  here  will  be  realized.  We 
shall  not,  indeed,  have  a  college,  but  we  shall  have  an 
institution  that,  in  its  proper  sphere,  will  bear  the  charac- 
ter of  a  University.  The  application  of  philosophy  to 
life,  and  the  elucidation  of  our  early  history,  will  reach 
a  point  not  elsewhere  surpassed.  The  Peabody  Academy 
of  Science,  and  the  Essex  Institute,  working  side  by 

*  George  Peabody,  of  London,  is  a  descendant  of  John,  who  was 
bori;  in  1642,  the  eldest  son  of  the  founder  of  the  family  in  America, 
the  flrst  f  rancis.  John's  third  son,  David,  was  born  in  1678.  EUs 
third  son,  David,  was  born  in  1784.  His  second  son,  Thomas,  was 
bom  in  1762.    His  fourth  son,  Georqe,  was  born  February  18th,  1795. 


.,i^!«m»^*^ 


Ill' 

ill 


7f 

side,  or  consolidated  into  a  grand  scheme  of  knowledge, 
combining  the  highest  classic  titles  over  given  to  seats  of 
learning,  the  "Peabody  Academy  of  Science  and  the 
Essex  Institute  of  Natural  and  Civil  History,"  will  make 
this  another  Athens.  The  fact  that  one  man,  our  lamented 
President,  was,  at  the  head  of  both  the  Academy  and  the 
Institute,  foreshadows  this  happy  consummation. 

Colonel  Peabody  had  strong  family  and  domestic  affec- 
tions. The  death  of  a  beloved  daughter,  on  the  12th  of 
December,  1866,  produced  a  shock  from  which  he  never 
recovered.  She  was  worthy  of  the  love  and  admiration 
with  which  all  who  knew  regarded  her,  and  was  endeared 
to  her  father  by  earnest  and  active  sympathy  in  his 
favorite  pursuits,  and  by  embellishments  given  to  his 
works  by  her  refined  taste,  and  delicate  pencil.  She  died 
away  from  home ;  and  the  intelligence  came  unexpectedly 
upon  him.  Although  he  bore  it  with  manly  firmaess,  and 
the  devout  submission  of  a  christian,  it  could  not  fail  to 
be  noticed  that  his  spirit  never  fully  rose  again  to  its 
accustomed  buoyancy.  The  blow  reached  the  vital  centre 
of  his  being,  and  the  effect  on  his  general  health  soon 
became  quite  manifest.  It  was  followed,  on  the  20th  of 
January,  1867,  with  a  slight  apoplectic  attack,  which  was 
repeated  on  the  2d  of  September. 

After  the  death  of  his  daughter  I  had  a  long  conversa- 
tion with  him,  in  which  he  laid  bare  before  me  the  senti- 
ment of  his  soul  under  the  bereavement ;  and  I  can  truly 
say  that  I  have  never  witnessed  a  stronger  manifestation 
of  the  resignation  and  faith,  that  are  the  highest  and  last 
attainments  of  a  follower  of  the  Saviour.  His  spirit 
bowed  in  humble  but  elevated  recognition  of  the  Provi- 
dence that  orders  and  numbers  our  days,  and  ^as  sus- 
tained by  the  consolations  and  reflections  that  will  come. 


■:3^;::: 


'^^^^M4i^i^6iimi^:i^-i^)ii%i.&lifSsi'^thiXxAi^S^^^W7-- 


)f  knowledge, 
en  to  seats  of 
ence  and  the 
ry,"  will  make 
,  our  lamented 
idemy  and  the 
ation. 

lomestic  affec- 
on  the  12th  of 
hich  he  never 
,nd  admiration 
I  was  endeared 
mpathy  in  his 
1  given  to  his 
icil.  She  died 
3  unexpectedly 
y  fii'mness,  and 
uld  not  fail  to 
je  again  to  its 
the  vital  centre 
al  health  soon 
on  the  20th  of 
ack,  which  was 

long  conversa- 
)  me  the  senti- 
and  I  can  truly 
L*  manifestation 
ighest  and  last 
ur.  His  spirit 
1  of  the  Provi- 
,  and  "was  sus- 
;hat  will  come, 


78 

under  such  an  afflicll.  a,  bringing  pen^e  to  a  believing 
and  thoughtful  mind. 

About  the  time  of  the  announcement  of  the  donation 
by  hia  friend  and  kinsman  for  the  advancement  of  science 
among  us,  in  developing  some  of  his  views  as  to  its 
proper  application,  he  expressed  to  me  the  expectation 
that  he  should  not  live  long,  and  might  at  any  moment  be 
taken  away.  He  spoke  on  the  subject  with  perfect  calm- 
ness, and  in  a  manner  to  convince  me  that  his  thoughts 
and  views  had  been  brought  to  a  state  of  perparation  for 
the  summons  whenever  it  should  come.  He  entered 
particularly  upon  the  consideration  of  such  an  event  in 
connection  with  his  plans  as  charged  with  the  trust  of 
organizing  the  Academy  in  accordance  with  the  purposes, 
and  fulfilment  of  the  wishes,  of  its  illustrious  founder. 
This  led  to  general  remarks  on  the  subject  of  death, 
especially  if  it  should  suddenly  come,  and  he  expressed 
the  idea,  that  he  felt  no  anxiety,  and  allowed  himself  to 
indulge  no  preferences,  as  to  the  time  or  mode  of  its 
occurrence,  but  experienced  entire  relief  in  leaving  all  to 
a  Providence  that  was  infinitely  wise  and  benignant.  I 
was  much  impressed  with  the  seriousness,  sincerity,  per- 
fect acquiescence  of  spirit,  and  devout  submission  to  the 
Divine  will,  he  manifested  throughout.  His  instincts 
were  religious,  and  had  ever  been  cherished  by  reflec- 
tion, and  strengthened  by  habit.  The  sentiments  he 
expressed  were  evidently  such  as  he  had  long  entertained, 
of  the  willingness  and  readiness,  with  which  every  child  of 
God  ought  to  commit  life  and  events  to  the  disposal  of 
The  Father. 

During  the  month  of  October  he  continued  to  fail.  On 
the  afternoon  of  the  29th,  when  standing  at  the  window 
of  his  chamber,  looking  out  upon  the  cold  and  blustering 

10 


rt'S'^f^^^^^^'A     '     At^'y* 


u^^    ^T 


74 

autumnal  air,  and  following  the  foliage,  falling  from  the 
branches  that  had  sustained  its  life,  blown  hither  and 
thither,  and  strown  on  the  ground,  he  said,  "we  do  all 
fade  as  a  leaf,"  and  immediately  turned  to  his  bed.  He 
fell,  at  once,  into  a  quiet  and  gentle  sleep  from  which  he 
never  awoke  in  the  body.  Not  a  pang,  nor  a  struggle, 
nor  a  movement,  told  when  his  spirit  passed  away.  His 
death,  only  indicated  by  his  ceasing  to  breathe,  was  in  the 
evening  of  the  Slst  of  October,  1867. 

In  looking  over  the  memoir  that  has  now  been  pre- 
sented, justice  requires  me  again  to  state,  that  it  is  but 
a  cursory  and  quite  imperfect  enumeration  of  the  scien- 
tific and  mechanical  operations  in  which  the  life  of  Francis 
'Peabody  was  employed.  Fully  described,  they  would 
require  a  minute  technical  analysis  such  as  only  persons 
particularly  conversant  with  such  subjects  could  present ; 
and  ranging,  as  they  do,  over  so  many  distinct  depart- 
ments, demand  separate  treatises.  In  the  course  of  the 
narrative  many  traits  of  his  character  have  incidentally 
been  given.  Some  general  views  of  it  may  properly  be 
offered  in  conclusion. 

Colonel  Peabody  was  a  business  man  of  marked  energy, 
exactitude  and  capacity.  As  a  manufacturer  and  mer- 
chant his  transactions  showed  sagacity,  prudence,  and 
intelligence.  Like  all  his  other  engagements,  they  were 
suggested  and  guided  by  his  predominating  taste  for 
scientific  pursuits,  and  the  knowledge  thus  acquired. 
His  business  operations  were  illustrations,  on  a  large 
scale,  of  the  application  of  philosophy  to  practical  ob- 
jects. His  experiments  and  studies  were,  in  one  sense, 
kept  in  subordination  to  his  business,  and  never  allowed 
to  occupy  his  time  or  engross  his  thoughts,  to  the  dis- 
advantage  of  any  important   interests  in  which  he  was 


75 


illing  from  the 
wn  hither  and 
id,  "we  do  all 
)  his  bed.  He 
from  which  he 
nor  a  struggle, 
jed  away.  His 
ithe,  was  in  the 

now  been  pre- 
,  that  it  is  but 
n  of  the  scien- 
B  life  of  Francis 
ad,  they  would 
as  only  persons 
could  present; 
distinct  depart- 
B  course  of  the 
ive  incidentally 
nay  properly  be 

marked  energy, 
iturer  and  mer- 

prudence,  and 
lents,  they  we)"e 
lating  taste  for 

thus  acquired, 
ns,  on  a  large 
to  practical  ob- 
!,  in  one  sense, 
d  never  allowed 
hts,  to  the  dis- 
1  which  he  was 


« oncerned.  Although  all  but  profuse  iii  the  e.xpenditure 
of  money  in  the  prosecution  of  investigations,  he  was 
never  wasteful,  inconsiderate,  or  careless  ih  its  use.  He 
exercised  his  own  judgment  in  the  application  of  his 
means,  made  his  outlays  in  such  directions  as  he  saw  iit, 
and  could  not  easily  be  drawn  upon  by  inducements,  ad- 
dressed to  the  love  of  applause  or  popularity.  His  own 
idea  of  the  methods  in  which  he  could  best  promote  the 
public  welfare  ruled  his  conduct.  In  concluding  a  bar- 
gain or  a  purchase  of  any  kind,  he  was  not  to  be  imposed 
upon,  and,  in  no  degree,  did  his  enthusiasm  in  favorite 
pursuits  detract  from  his  vigilance  or  caution  as  a  busi- 
ness man.  He  was  as  thorough,  skilful  and  extensive  a 
merchant,  as  if  commerce  had  been  his  only  employment. 
For  some  years  before  his  death  he  managed  a  trade,  and 
owned  a  tonnage,  equal  to  that  of  his  father,  when  the 
ships  of  that  great  merchant  frequented  every  port  of  the 
Altantic  shore  of  Europe  from  the  Baltic  to  Gibralter, 
around  the  Mediterranean,  and  in  both  the  Indies.  And 
what  was  most  extraordinary,  with  all  his  ships,  cargoes, 
manufactures,  building  houses,  embellishing  estates,  ex- 
periments in  the  laboratory,  operrtions  in  the  workshop, 
and  the  study  of  authorities  from  the  shelves  and  cases  of 
his  library,  he  was,  as  much  as  any  man  among  us,  on 
hand  to  participate  in  local  interests  or  social  movements, 
ready  to  attend  to  any  call  for  consultation  or  coopera- 
tion, and  apparently  at  leisure  to  enjoy  intercourse,  or 
engage  in  conversation,  with  any  one  at  any  time.  Al- 
ways busy,  but  never  in  such  a  hurry  that  he  could  not 
stop  to  converse  with  friends  or  townsmen,  as  met  by  the 
way — with  time  to  spare  for  all  the  demands  of  family, 
neighborhood,  or  society.  The  activity  and  elasticity  of 
his  faculties  never  failed.     His  inexhaustible  spirits  sup- 


f 


76 


piicd  both  mind  and  body  with  inexhixiistible  strcngtli. 
He  was  novcr  known  to  be  tired,  and  did  not  seem  to 
need  reat.  His  business  and  his  amuscnients  wore  so 
organized  that  they  never  interfered  with  each  other.  His 
multifarious  engagements  were  so  methodized  that  he 
could,  wiienever  he  chose,  fly  aAvay  from  them;  but  pres- 
ent or  absent,  his  business  went  on,  his  vessels  kept  under 
sail,  and  the  wheels  of  his  mills  continued  to  revolve. 
Few  men  have  done  more  work,  and  few  have  found  more 
gratitication  outside  of  what  is  ordinarily  called  work. 
In  this  respect  he  was  remarkably  successful  in  solving 
the  problem  of  life.  He  experienced  an  equal  exhilara- 
tion, in  meeting  its  obligations  and  enjoying  its  pleasures. 
He  turned  its  labors  into  pleasures,  and  kept  the  heart  in 
sunshine  however  dark  the  cloud  over  head.  " 

He  must  be  allowed  to  have  been  one  of  the  most  use- 
ful persons  we  have  ever  had  among  us.  The  period  of 
his  activity  in  the  affairs  of  society  embraced  nearly  half 
a  century,  and,  from  first  to  last,  he  spread  activity 
around  him.  The  various  industrial  enterprises  he 
started,  the  iustitutious  of  usefulness  he  helped  to  estab- 
lish, and  the  numbers  he  brought  into  employment  in 
several  departments  of  business  and  labor,  constitute  an 
aggrc  ^ate  scarcely  to  be  estimated,  and  not  often  to  be 
traced  to  one  originating  mind.  At  the  time  of  his  death, 
and  for  many  years  before,  it  is  probable  that,  at  least 
three  hundred  persons  were  profitably  occupied  in  carry- 
ing on  his  business  by  sea  and  by  land,  in  trades,  arts, 
labors,  and  handicraft  of  all  sorts.  And  it  is  observable 
that  the  employments  he  thus  opened  will  continue  to 
dill'use  their  benefits  and  privileges  to  countless  numbers 
indefinitely  ;  for  experience  has  shown  that  his  enterprises 
were  the  result  of  good  judgment  and  stand  the  test  of 


ibie  strength. 
I  not  seem  to 
KMits  wore  80 
ch  other.  His 
;lized  that  he 
em ;  but  pres- 
els  kept  under 
id  to  revolve, 
ve  found  more 
called  work, 
iful  in  solving 
iqual  exhilara- 
f  its  pleasures. 
3t  the  heart  in 


the  most  use- 
The  period  of 
3ed  nearly  half 
pread  activity 
snterprises  he 
Iped  to  estab- 
mployment  in 
,  constitute  an 
ot  often  to  be 
le  of  his  death, 
that,  at  least 
iipicd  in  carry- 
in  trades,  arts, 
,  is  observable 
ill  continue  to 
itless  numbers 
his  enterprises 
nd  the  test  of 


77 


time.  The  machines  ho  improved  and  constructed,  the 
processes  ho  introduced,  the  manufactures  he  set  in 
motion,  lead  works,  paper  oil  and  jute  mills,  some  of 
them  passed  into  other  hands,  are  still,  and  probably 
always  will  be,  in  vigorous  and  prosperous  action.  The 
buildings  he  erected  or  embellished,  the  lecture-room  he 
designed,  like  his  stone  arch  at  Harmony  Grove,  have 
durability  impressed  on  them,  survive  their  constructor, 
and  bid  fair  to  survive  the  lapse  of  generations. 

He  was  a  good  citizen  in  all  respects,  regarding  with 
interest  the  advancement  of  society,  and  retaining  to  the 
end  a  disposition  to  aid  in  all  eiitcrprisos  that  commended 
themselves  to  his  judgment.  While  always  ready  to  act 
with  others,  he  was  tjften  in  u  minority  upon  local  as 
well  as  national  questions,  but  he  loved  the  people  and 
rejoiced  in  their  prosperity  and  happiness.  He  was  a 
true  patriot.  Nothing  could  wean  him  from  attachment 
and  devotion  to  his  country.  No  extent  of  what  he 
might  have  thought  mal-administration  :  no  defeat  of  the 
parties  to  which  he  may  have  belonged,  whether  based 
upon  questions  of  policy  affecting  the  general  govern- 
ment of  the  Union,  or  on  state  or  municipal  affairs ;  no 
amount  of  supposed  error  or  wrong  in  the  temporary 
phases  of  society  ;  none  of  the  trappings  of  foreign  courts 
or  seductions  of  foreign  travel ;  neither  the  pomp  nor 
pageantry  elsewhere  seen,  nor  the  glitter  which  wealth, 
like  his,  in  other  forms  of  society  enables  its  possessor  to 
command,  could  estrange  him  from  che  land  of  his  birth 
or  the  home  of  his  fathers.  While  abroad  he  gloried  in 
and  yearned  for  his.  country,  and  came  back,  each  time, 
with  a  conviction  that  there  was  no  country  like  his  own, 
and  no  spot,  in  that  country,  better  than  this  to  live  in, 
and  die  in.     His   conviction  that  our  institutions  are 


78 

loundcd  ill  truth  aiitl  rif?ht,  uiid  his  t'tilth  in  their  perpe- 
tuity, were  never  shaken,  and  lii»  vision  of  the  future 
glories  of  America  never  grew  dim. 

Few  men  liave  been  more  free  from  pride  or  pretension, 
in  spirit  or  manners.  The  riches  he  liad  inherited  and 
actiumulated,  did  not  lift  him  out  of  the  community,  or 
estrange  him  from  the  sentiments,  ways,  or  company  of 
the  common  people.  He  talked  and  acted  with  them  as 
an  equal.  To  this  admirable  trait  of  his  character  a 
cloud  of  witnesses  could  be  raised  from  every  position  in 
society,  and  in  every  stage  of  his  life.  Such  a  man  was 
a  true  republican,  to  whatever  party  he  belonged. 

His  private  character,  from  the  beginning  to  the  end  of 
life,  waa  irreproachable.  No  taint  ever  sullied  the  purity 
of  his  sentiments.  Neither  fashion  nor  folly  undermined 
the  integrity  of  his  principles.  He  was  a  temperate, 
exemplary,  ingenuous,  and  honest  man.  The  utterances 
of  his  lips,  as  well  as  the  habits  of  his  life,  were  always 
under  the  restraints  of  propriety.  He  respected  all  that 
was  excellent,  and  reverenced  all  that  is  sacred  in 
humanity.  His  thoughts  were  innocent,  his  aflections 
kind,  and  his  faith  in  man  and  in  God  immovable.  He 
appreciated  the  value  of  religious  institutions,  and  re- 
posed, with  steadfast  fidelity,  on  his  religious  convictions. 
He  allowed  no  vain  speculations  or  casual  annoyances,  to 
cast  a  shadow  on  the  path  that  leads  the  christian  heart  to 
the  service  and  worship  of  God. 

The  example,  that  has  now  been  contemplated,  presents 
a  moral,  which  I  would  leave  pai-ticularly  impressed  on 
every  mind. 

"The  vanity  of  human  wishes"  is  not  the  morbid  com- 
plaint of  a  melancholy  temperament.  It  is  a  solemn 
verity.     Failure  to  realize  mere  worldly  happiness  is  the 


'4^^jmi»ti*i,M^t<Si:SSxi:ii.  - 


I  their  perpcv 
)f   the    futuio 

or  pretension, 
inliorited  uud 
ominunity,  or 
r  company  of 
with  them  as 
8  character  a 
ry  position  in 
ich  a  man  was 
•ngod. 

'  to  the  end  of 
led  the  purity 
y  undermined 

a  temperate, 
['he  utterances 
,  were  always 
pected  all  that 

is  sacred  iu 
his  atlections 
movable.  He 
tions,  and  re- 
18  convictions, 
innoyauces,  to 
■istiau  heart  to 

lated,  presents 
impressed  on 

!  morbid  com- 
t  is  a  solemn 
ppiness  is  the 


79 


IcHHon  taught  by  universal  oxporionco.  The  fact  that  this 
lesson  18  never  received,  ia  the  mystery  and  enigma  of 
life.  Wo  toil  and  struggle  with  ever  unabated  eagerness 
for  what,  upon  clutching  it,  always  proves  an  illusion. 
We  find  it  to  he  a  shadow  but  pursue  it  still.  To  an  eye, 
looking  down  upon  the  sublunary  scone,  what  a  strange 
spectacle  is  presented  in  the  whole  race  of  man  absorbed 
in  this  always  baffled  effort,  this  never  ceasing,  ever  fruit- 
less chase.  Wealth,  it  is  thought  certain,  will  place  in 
our  hands  the  embellishments  and  blessings  of  life,  and 
secure  perpetual  contentment.  We  gain  it ;  but  elegant 
mansions  and  overflowing  incomes,  leave  the  soul  poorer 
than  before.  Existence,  desire  accomplished,  becomes  a 
burden  ;  and  we  sink  into  dreary  duiness,  or  fly  to  other 
al)odes,  which  in  turn  soon  grow  wearisome ;  again  we 
shift  the  scene,  and  wander  without  rest  and  without  a 
home.  Ambition  contends  for  the  prizes  of  public  station. 
They  may  all  be  won,  and  the  successful  aspirant  left  the 
most  dissatisfied  citizen  of  the  state.  The  young  king 
of  Macedon  sighed  for  universal  dominion ;  and  entered 
upon  a  career  to  attain  it,  crowded  Avith  more  success 
than  ever  reached  before  or  since ;  but  at  its  close,  when 
the  whole  world,  subjected  to  his  victorious  arms,  was  at 
his  feet,  wept  for  other  worlds  to  conquer.  The  Hebrew 
monarch  surveyed  his  riches  and  splendors  and  luxuries 
and  glories,  and  revealed  to  himself  the  utter  emptiness 
of  them  all — "vanity  of  vanities — all  is  vanity."  The 
history  of  the  ages  confirms  the  teachings  of  our  own 
observation  and  experience,  and  stamps  disappointment 
upon  the  fulfilment  of  earthly  hopes. 

When  Francis  Peabody  had  reached  the  age  of  man- 
hood and  become  the  head  of  a  household,  he  was  in 
possession  of  all  the  happiness  that  can  bo  desired  or 


ei?:iaSSi^AV 


80 

imagined,  and  it  lasted  through  life.  Why  this  exemp- 
tion Irotn  the  lot  of  humanity?  Because  his  faculties  and 
aspirations  had  early  opened  and  entered  upon  a  field, 
outside  of,  and  above,  the  sphere  in  which  enjoyment  is 
•  ordinarily  sought.  In  the  pursuit  of  knowledge,  in  forms 
that  included  the  ever  exhilarating  activities  of  the  intel- 
lect, he  f'^uP'^.  tue  elixir  whose  infusion  in  his  cup  kept  it 
from  palling  on  his  lips. 

Let  every  young  man,  especially  let  those  in  the  posses- 
sion or  the  acquisition  of  fortune,  secure  a  like  refuge,  by 
choosing  some  department  of  science,  philosophy,  literal- 
ture,  or  art,  and  make  it  a  recreation  amidst  the  toils  of 
business,  and  a  refreshment  when  other  objects  lose  their 
zest.  He  who  adopts  this  course,  will  have,  ever  after, 
no  void  in  his  heart,  no  weariness  in  his  hours.  His 
labors  will  all  be  lightened,  his  joys  will  retain  their 
relish,  contentment  and  cheerfulness  will  crown  his  days. 
The  elasticity  of  his  spirits,  and  the  enthusiasm  of  his 
youth,  will  continue  unimpaired  to  the  end. 


The  foregoing  Memoir  was  read  at  a  meeting  of  the  Essex  Insti- 
tute, July  18,  1868,  the  President,  Dr.  Henry  Wheatland,  in  the  cliair. 
At  its  conclusion,  Hon.  Asahel  Huntington,  Ex-President  of  the 
Society,  after  spealfing  in  strong  terms  of  praise  of  the  reader's 
treatment  of  his  theme,  oflfered  the  following  vote,  which,  being 
seconded  by  Abner  C.  Goodell,  Jr.,  Esq.,  Vice-President,  was  unani- 
mously passed : 

"That  the  thanks  of  the  Institute  be  presented  to  Mr.  Upham  for 
his  address,  and  that  the  same  be  referred  to  the  appropriate  Com- 
mittee for  publication." 


hi 


-\^ 


iSr'^ 


Why  this  exemp- 
3e  his  faculties  and 
jred  upon  a  field, 
hich  enjoyment  is 
nowledge,  in  forms 
vities  of  the  intel- 
.  in  his  cup  kept  it 

those  in  the  posses- 
re  a  like  refuge,  by 
philosophy,  litera^ 
imidst  the  toils  of 
r  objects  lose  their 
1  have,  ever  after, 
n  his  hours.  His 
i  will  retain  their 
ill  crown  his  days, 
enthusiasm  of  his 
end. 


ing  of  the  Essex  Insti- 
heatland,  in  the  cliair. 
Ex-President  of  the 
praise  of  the  reader's 
ig  vote,  which,  being 
i-President,  was  unani- 


ited  to  Mr.  Upham  for 
)  the  appropriate  Com- 


filyl 


MEMOIR 


OF 


FEANCIS  PEABODY. 


r 


f 


y 


